§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in exercising his powers to prevent the export of items of artistic or historic merit, he will include items of the United Kingdom's industrial archaeological heritage among the list of restricted exports; if, specifically, he will seek to make an order banning the export of any preserved railway steam-engine without a permit so to do being obtained from his Department; and if he will make a statement following the recent letter he received on this subject from the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington.
§ Mr. OakesI have been asked to reply.
My noble Friend the Minister who has responsibility for the Arts has written to the hon. Member explaining that steam engines are covered by the existing export control if they are over 100 years old, a specific export licence being required for any item worth £4,000 or more.