HC Deb 22 January 1986 vol 90 cc206-7W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Minister for the Arts whether he will list the items for which the issuing of export licences was withheld on the recommendation of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art during the half year ended 31 December 1985, specifying in each case the valuation and whether an item was eventually exported or retained, with particulars in the latter event of the acquiring institution; whether he will list any items for which licences have been withheld but the final disposal of which is not yet decided, specifying in each case (a) the valuation and (b) the relevant time limit; and whether a press notice will be issued from the Office of Arts and Libraries covering the information given in his reply.

Mr. Luce

The items for which export licences were withheld for a period on the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art are as follows. The valuation has been omitted in six cases where the owner wished it to remain confidential. Details of the items listed were given in press notices issued at the time of the Minister's decision.

Description Valuation Outcome
£
A German crossbow by Johann Gottfried Hagnisch Licence suspended for three months. Licence granted.
A silver gilt tankard by John Bridges 41,000 Licence suspended for three months. Purchased by National Maritime Museum.
A glass goblet enamelled by William Beilby 62,462 Licence suspended for four months. Purchased by Whitehaven Art Gallery.
A painting 'Boy bitten by a Lizard' by Caravaggio Licence suspended for six months until 18 February 1986.
A painting 'the Vision of the Blessed Clare of Rimini' by the Master of the Blessed Clare Licence suspended for three months. Purchased by National Gallery.
Oak cabinet by Charles Rennie Mackintosh Licence suspended for three months. Licence issued.
The Portland Font by Paul Storr 1,275,000 Licence suspended for seven months until 24 April 1986 (suspension to be reviewed after four months).
A pair of paintings by Guercino 330,882 Licence suspended for four months until 24 January 1986.
A 15th century Flemish Painting 'the Madonna and Child with Four Saints' 751,890 Licence suspended for six months to 24 March 1986.
A daguerrotype 'A London Street' attributed to de St. Croix 36,000 Licence suspended for three months until 22 January 1986.
A Romano-British statuette of a stag 30,576 Licence suspended for six months until 16 May 1986 (to be reviewed after two months).
A painting 'Le Chenal de Gravelines' by Georges Seurat Licence suspended for four months until 6 April 1986 (suspension to be reviewed after six weeks).
A painting 'Brutus and Portia' by Ercole de Roberti Licence suspended for six months until 30 June 1986 (suspension to be reviewed after two months).
A painting 'Mars and Mercury leading Horses to Venus' by Jacob Jordaens 610,000 Licence suspended for four months until 30 April 1986.
An 18th century skeleton clock by Joseph Merlin 25,000 Licence suspended for four months until 30 April 1986.
A collection of architectural drawings of Althorp House by Henry Holland and others 17,730 Licence suspended for three months until 31 March 1986.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Minister for the Arts whether he will specify the allocations made to public institutions in the United Kingdom during the half year ended 31 December 1985 of individual works of art and museum objects pre-eminent for national, scientific, historic or artistic interest which have been accepted in satisfaction of capital transfer tax, together with information, where applicable, as to conditions or wishes expressed in the matter of allocation by testators or executors; whether he will list the works of art and museum objects which are still awaiting allocation, with the respective dates of their acceptance in satisfaction of capital transfer tax; and whether a press notice will be issued from the Office of Arts and Libraries covering the information given in his reply.

1. Mr. Luce

The information is:

Items allocated since 1 June 1985 and to whom allocated.

Mount Edgcumbe (chattels)*—Plymouth City and Cornwall County Councils

Bust of Lord Somers by Le Marchand—National Trust

Seneca Epistles—British Library

* This offer carried a condition that the objects remain in situ

2. There are no items accepted in lieu of tax by Ministers with heritage responsibilities awaiting allocation.

3. A press notice will be issued on 22 January to publicise this information.