HC Deb 12 December 1995 vol 268 c566W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what public records exist covering the purchase and early history of(a) the imperial state crown of George I, (b) the coronation crown of George IV and (c) the crown of Queen Adelaide; [5282]

(2) what representations he has received about the ownership and future of the imperial crown of George I, the coronation crown of George IV and the crown of Queen Adelaide; [5280]

(3) what is his policy on the future of the imperial crown of George I, the imperial state crown of George IV and the crown of Queen Adelaide. [5281]

The Prime Minister

So far as I am aware, I have received no representations about the ownership and future of these crown frames. I understand that the crown frames have been acquired by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei and that the prince has most generously decided to present them to the nation. The applications for licences to export the frames have accordingly been withdrawn. A public record concerning the crown frames is in the annual report of the reviewing committee on the export of works of art, 1994–95, which was placed in the Library of the House on 24 October 1995.