§ 20. Mr. CarringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures he is proposing to take to retain more fine art heritage in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BrookeGovernment measures aimed at encouraging the retention of fine arts heritage in the United Kingdom include the provision of grants to museums, galleries and funding bodies that assist in purchases, a number of tax reliefs that encourage support for the heritage and the Waverley system of export controls.
§ Mr. CarringtonIs my right hon. Friend aware of the considerable concern about the way in which the Waverley rules operate in practice? Will he look at the considerable pressure that is building up to extend the period allowed for fund-raising activities to purchase works of art identified under the Waverley rules for retention in this country?
§ Mr. BrookeI announced—after consultation and in the context of an application in regard to "The Three Graces" by Canova—that I would be prepared, as from July, to consider a longer period for items of major importance.