HC Deb 18 October 1950 vol 478 cc256-8W
Mr. Crossman

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the existing arrangements for controlling the export of works of art, antiques and similar objects; and what steps he is taking to review them.

Mr. Jay

The present control over the export of works of art, etc., rests on the Export of Goods (Control) (Consolidation) Order, 1949, made under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act, 1939. These powers are administered by the Board of Trade in accordance with the policy announced in the House of Commons on the 26th May, 1944, by the then Parliamentary Secretary to that Department.

In administering these powers the Board acts on the advice of the appropriate museum or gallery; there is also in existence a Reviewing Committee to which cases go if an export licence is refused and the would-be exporter appeals. This Committee, under Treasury chairmanship, consists of officers of the Treasury, Foreign Office, and Board of Trade, assisted by a panel of experts from the national museums and galleries.

As my right hon. and learned Friend told the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Donner) on 4th July last, he has decided that both the policy and the arrangements need to be reviewed; and he has therefore set up an independent committee with the following terms of reference: To consider and advise on the policy to be adopted by His Majesty's Government in controlling the export of works of art, books, manuscripts, armour and antiques, and to recommend what arrangements should be made for the practical operation of the policy.

The following have agreed to serve:

  • Sir John Anderson, P.C., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., F.R.S. (Chairman).
  • Professor A. F. Blunt, C.V.O.
  • The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres.
  • Mrs. Hugh Dalton.
  • Professor V. H. Galbraith, F.B.A.
  • Christopher Hussey, Esq., F.S.A.
  • Professor Lionel Robbins, C.B., F.B.A.

The Secretary will be Mr. A. E. L. Parnis of the Treasury.

Pending the report of this Committee, the Export Licensing Branch of the Board of Trade will continue the day-today administration of the cases in which no objection to the grant of export licence is raised by the museum or gallery consulted; but for the future, in the small minority of cases in which a refusal is recommended, I have arranged for the application to be referred to the Reviewing Committee and decided on its merits in the light of all the relevant circumstances.