HC Deb 17 December 1971 vol 828 c209W
Mr. Money

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of proposed British ratification of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation resolution requiring member countries to return illegally exported works of art to their countries of origin, he will make representations to the Government of the United States of America regarding the returning of the only known authentic picture of Dr. William Harvey, in respect of which criminal proceedings took place in this country in 1961.

Mr. Kershaw

No. The case of this picture was dealt with in the courts at the time. Ratification of the Convention mentioned by my hon. Friend is still under consideration, but it would not, in any event, have any retroactive effect.

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