§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they intend to ratify the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import and export and transfer of ownership of cultural property and what is the reason for the long delay.
The Minister of State, Privy Council Office, and Minister for the Arts (The Earl of Gowrie)Her Majesty's Government have consistently supported the aims and objectives of this convention, and have frequently reviewed the case for formal ratification. However, ratification continues to pose substantial administrative, legal and financial problems, and Her Majesty's Government believe that the spirit of the convention can be implemented by other means. Museums and galleries in Britain already abide by a code of practice not to acquire items of dubious provenance and the art trade are considering adoption of a similar code of practice.