§ Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement about the regulations affecting the export control of antiques, works of art, manuscripts, documents and archives.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe Government have decided to include in the export control documentary material over 70 years old, instead of 100 years old as at present. The definition will be amended to include photographs. An amendment of the Export of Goods (Control) Order, 1970, will be made as soon as possible. In addition three changes will be made by administrative action. These are that the value below which antiques other than documentary and archaeological material will be covered by open general licence will be raised from £2,000 to £4,000; that the value below which documents may, with certain exceptions, be exported without a specific licence by dealers holding bulk licences will be increased from £50 to £100; and that applicants for 375W export licences for documentary material will no longer be expected to supply photocopies unless the expert adviser to the Department of Trade and Industry specifically asks for them.