§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions apply in France to British auction houses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamIn France, all auctioneering or individual sales of works of art must be undertaken by "commissaries priseurs", who are personally appointed by the state and restricted in number. As a result, British auction houses are not able to operate in France as corporate entities or to levy commission at rates comparable to those levied in the United Kingdom. The Government will continue to press the European Commission and the French authorities to secure the removal of this barrier to trade.