§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to prevent the export of stolen antique furniture and silver and works of art.
§ Mr. Peter ReesExports of furniture, silver and works of art over 50 years old are subject to export licensing control. It is an offence under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1981 knowingly to make a false statement, when applying for a licence, as to the ownership of the goods concerned or any other material particular. Checks are made when there is any reason to doubt a statement, but in view of the large number of licence applications received it would not be practicable to investigate the ownership of goods as a matter of course.