§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Minister for the Arts whether he will reduce from £16,000 to £8,000 the value at which works of art and scientific objects require export licences.
§ Mr. LuceNo. The value at which works of art, including scientific objects, require specific export licences was increased from £8,000 to £16,000 in May 1985 following a recommendation from the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art which advises me in such cases. There are no reasons to revise these valuations at present.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Minister for the Arts whether he has received any representations from heritage bodies or individuals with regard to the sale and subsequent export of works of art originating from semi-public bodies and the Church authorities; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceYes. I have received representations from a number of museum bodies and individuals with regard to the sale and proposed export of the George Brown ethnograpical collection by Newcastle university. I am aware of no representations in respect of works of art originating from the Church authorities.