§ Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthornasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they have on the current location of the Sevso treasure of Roman silverware, whether it was exported legally from this country, and whether it was legally exported to Britain from its country of origin.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of National Heritage (Lord Inglewood)I have no information about the current location of the Roman silverware known as the Sevso Hoard, or about the terms of its import and export from the UK. The Government retain their copies of export licences for a period of five years from the date of issue; the hoard came to this country and was subsequently exported more than five years ago. Other records are insufficient to confirm whether or not any export licence or licences have been issued for the silver. However, it was normal practice then, as it is now, to issue export licences for any goods imported into the UK within 50 years of the date of application. I cannot comment on whether or not the silver was legally exported from its country of origin, as its country of origin is unknown although it did not come from this country. Claims by the Lebanon, Hungary and Croatia were rejected by a New York court.