§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press releases were issued by his Department in relation to the deferral of export licences for works of art(a) from May 1997 to June 1998 and (b) from June 1998 to date. [101853]
§ Mr. Chris SmithBetween May 1997 and June 1998, 12 news releases were issued by the Department relating to the deferral of 20 export licences for cultural items.
From June 1998 to date, 15 news releases were issued relating to the deferral of 24 such export licences.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to publicise his Department's publication, "Export of Works of Art 1998–99". [101852]
§ Mr. Chris SmithI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell) on 26 November 1999,Official Report, column 216W, when I said that the Reviewing Committee's Annual Report for 1998–99 was published 470W on that day, and that copies had been laid before Parliament. I also issued a news release on the same day announcing its publication.