HL Deb 13 March 2001 vol 623 c90WA
Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to accede to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. [HL1182]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Following the recommendation in the report of the Ministerial Advisory Panel on Illicit Trade chaired by Professor Norman Palmer, published in December, and after further consultations within government, I am pleased to announce that the Government have taken the decision to accede to this convention once the normal parliamentary and other formalities have been completed. We do so on the basis that no fresh legislative commitment is required and we intend to enter reservations on the basis of those outlined in Professor Palmer's report.