§ 58. Lieut.-Colonel Hydeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many works of art, including rare books, have been prohibited from being exported since 1940; and whether a list of them can be made available to the public.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWorks of art and articles more than 75 years old may not be sent out of the country without a Board of Trade export licence. Since this control was imposed in 1940, licences have been refused for 30 items on the expert advice of the national museums and galleries. In addition, certain refusals were given in the early days of control to prevent the flight of capital, but 285W full details of these are not now available. It would be contrary to established practice to publish details of individual applications where export licences have been refused.
§ 59. Lieut.-Colonel Hydeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings have been held by the committee appointed to consider the export of works of art; how many witnesses have given evidence before it; and when he expects that the report of its findings and recommendations will be published.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe Committee has held 16 meetings and has received written and oral evidence from 146 persons, bodies and institutions. It is not yet possible to say when it will report.