§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pictures of national historical importance which have been sold in auction sales of English pictures to art dealers since 1st April she estimates are now liable to be exported, bearing in mind the financial incentive given to art dealers to export such items following the imposition of value added tax.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasIt was not a responsibility of my noble Friend to maintain records of pictures sold at auction to dealers. The imposition of value added tax will in any case have no effect on the export control of works of art.