Dr. Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans he has(a) to put a time limit on claims in respect of works of art of dubious provenance from the Nazi period and (b) to seek amendment of the law governing de-accessioning of museum holdings; [85241]
(2) how many works of art of dubious provenance from the Nazi period have so far been identified in British museums; when further inventories of such items will be published; and what plans he has to publicise these inventories; [85244]
(3) how many museums are undertaking inventories of works of art in their possession of dubious provenance from the Nazi period; and what plans he has to increase the number of museums involved in the inventory process; [85243]
(4) what is his policy on works of art in British museums that are of dubious provenance from the Nazi period. [85242]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Government have asked members of the National Museum Directors' Conference to examine their collections with a view to finding out whether any items may have been looted during World War II and the Nazi period. Any claims will need to be considered on their merits on a case-by-case basis.
Some works have been identified which have gaps in their provenance, but this does not necessarily mean that they are the result of spoliation during the Holocaust and World War II. Research is continuing and it is hoped that updated information about the progress of this research will be published later this year.
The National Museum Directors' Conference has published Action Plans for 23 national museums, galleries and libraries, and I have deposited a copy of these in the Library. The Museums and Galleries Commission has recently issued a Statement of Principles to all Registered Museums. This recommends action to be taken by non-national institutions. The Museums and Galleries Commission will also be having discussions with those non-national institutions which have major art collections about how they might approach the issue of research into provenance. I have deposited a copy of this Statement of Principles in the Library.
The possibility of a time limit on claims is an issue which will need to be discussed with museums and galleries and other interests. However, the Statement of Principles published by the National Museums Directors' Conference last November suggests that an institution which has fully publicised the details of a work which it believes might have been the result of spoliation during the Nazi period and World War II would normally expect to receive a claim within six years. I have deposited a copy of this Statement of Principles in the Library. The question of de-accessioning will be considered on a case by case basis if, and when, there are successful claims for objects to be returned.
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