§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Spoliation Panel inquiry into works of art looted by the Nazis has met; and if he will make a statement. [128118]
§ Mr. Alan Howarth[holding answer 29 June 2000]: The first meeting of the Spoliation Advisory Panel was held on Thursday 8 June. To date, the Panel is aware of only one claim—that of Jan Griffier the Elder's View of Hampton Court Palace—which was acquired by the Tate in 1961. On 12 June, the Panel issued a news release inviting both the claimants and the Tate to submit their case as soon as possible. The Panel desires to complete its proceedings on this claim as rapidly as possible consistent with proper consideration of the evidence.