§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Minister for Trade whether he will ensure that applications for export licences for works of art of supreme historic importance to the United Kingdom such as the portrait of Captain Cook by John Webber are circulated to all interested national or provincial public museums and galleries before the licenses are issued; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter ReesApplications for licences to export works of art and so on which have been in this country for more than 50 years are referred to my Department's expert advisers for advice on the national importance of the item concerned. I am reminding them of the need to consult other public institutions likely to be interested.