§ 12. Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will instruct the reviewing committee on the export of works of art to take into consideration the physical security of the proposed location of works of art leaving the United Kingdom in tendering him their advice.
§ Mr. ChannonThe reviewing committee on the export of works of art advises my noble Friend the Minister for the Arts and this problem is for him. I am advised, however, that the committee would give careful consideration to any exceptional circumstances affecting particular works of art.
§ Sir David PriceAs the Getty museum at Malibu is situated in one of the highest earthquake risk zones in the world, will my right hon. Friend, in the interests of international art conservation, refuse export licences to the trustees of the Getty museum until they move the museum from Malibu to somewhere that is reasonably safe?
§ Mr. ChannonI was concerned not long ago with my hon. Friend in a debate on these issues, and I know his views about the Getty museum. He adduces on ingenious argument for refusing an export licence—because it is in an earthquake zone. That is a new point, which I shall see is conveyed to the Minister for the Arts, who will, no doubt, decide the matter on the advice, if any, that he receives from the reviewing committee on the export of works of art.
§ Mr. FauldsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there will be an earthquake in Britain unless the Government, to prevent the dispersal of national treasures abroad, either introduce tax incentives a la Americaine or export controls, as the Italians and French do, to debar the export of works of art and treasures that should be kept in the national custody?
§ Mr. ChannonI also recall debating that issue with the hon. Gentleman not long ago. Although I do not agree with the second part of his supplementary question, it is clear that, if he is threatening an earthquake in Britain, we shall all have to watch out.