§ 38 and 39. Mr. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he will consult representatives of the relevant historical and archival interests with a view to holding a new inquiry into the problems raised by the export of documents, manuscripts and archives;
(2) whether he will introduce legislation to prohibit the export of historical manuscripts unless adequate copies are left in the United Kingdom.
§ Miss Jennie LeeThe Government have carefully considered the proposals on the latest Annual Report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art for the introduction of export control over manuscripts, documents and archives less than 100 years old. The conclusion has been reached that practical difficulties prevent the proposals in their present form from providing the basis of a statutory control and the Chairman of the Reviewing Committee has been so far informed. The matter will now be further considered by a working party 323W containing representatives of the Departments directly concerned. In the light of the working party's findings the views of the Reviewing Committee will again be sought. All relevant interests will be consulted at the appropriate stage It would be premature to consider at the present time whether legislation should be introduced.