§ Sir John GorstTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement about the negotiations to be held next June in Rome when the final draft of a treaty on cultural property ownership will be considered; and what is his assessment of their effect on the buying and selling of antiquities in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 9 March 1995]: I can confirm that there will be a diplomatic conference in Rome from 7 to 24 June this year, to discuss the draft Unidroit convention on the international return of stolen or illegally exported cultural objects. It is our present intention that the UK will be represented. As the convention will be subject to further amendment at the conference, I cannot anticipate whether the UK will become a signatory or what effect its provision might have on the buying and selling of antiquities in the United Kingdom.