§ 2.52 p.m.
§ Lord GainfordMy Lords. I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government on what criteria the Treasure Trove Reviewing Committee makes an ex-gratia reward to finders of treasure trove.
§ Lord CockfieldMy Lords, it is the job of the Treasure Trove Reviewing Committee to ensure that the valuation made by the British Museum of any hoard of treasure trove to be retained by a public museum corresponds to a sum that might be paid for it at an open market sale by a willing buyer to a willing seller. Where finds have been promptly and fully disclosed to the authorities, the sum will be paid to the finder as an ex-gratia reward, but in cases where finds have been concealed, decisions on whether or not a reward should be paid, and on the size of any such reward, are made by my right honourable friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
§ Lord GainfordMy Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that Answer. Arising out of it, what is 1332 the simplest and easiest way for members of the public to find out whether or not something that they may have found is treasure trove?
§ Lord CockfieldMy Lords, a find that is a find of treasure trove should be reported to the coroner. Usually, the easiest way of doing this is to report it to the police. Press notices were in fact issued by the Treasury on this matter on 20th June this year; and a further press notice was issued on the same day. I shall let my noble friend have copies of these if he is interested.
Lord Bruce of DoningtonMy Lords, in order that the zest of those seeking treasure trove may continue unabated, will the noble Lord, from his great knowledge of the matter, confirm whether any payments will be free of all taxation?
§ Lord CockfieldYes, my Lords, in the normal way, the payments would be free of tax. But, of course, if subsequently they formed part of a deceased's estate, they might in that respect then be liable to capital transfer tax.