London Art Market

HC Deb 01 June 1998 vol 313 cc124-5W

Miss McIntosh

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has made to Britain's EU partners concerning the preservation of the London art market. [42005]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The Government continue to press the case for the preservation of the London art market. So far as artists' resale rights are concerned, the Government have argued repeatedly that the European Commission's proposal is ill-considered and would damage the international competitiveness of Community art markets, in particular the London art market, and would lead to a net loss of earnings and jobs in the Community. We are actively seeking the support of other Member States to defeat the proposal.