HC Deb 20 January 1972 vol 829 cc261-2W
Mr. Batsford

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department are taking to ensure that artefacts of value and historic importance are carefully preserved while the question of ownership is undecided; and whether he will make financial provision to assist in their preservation.

Mr. Anthony Grant

Receivers of Wreck make every effort to ensure that artefacts of value and historic importance are carefully preserved whilst in their legal custody, usually by seeking the assistance of museums. They are authorised to incur expenditure on conservation provided that this expenditure can be recouped from the proceeds of sale or the owner. In other cases it is for museums to decide whether conservation can be undertaken from their existing resources.