§ Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthornasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to make it a criminal offence to import, deal in or possess stolen or illegally removed cultural objects, as proposed in the report of the Working Party on the Illicit Trade in Cultural Property chaired by Professor Norman Palmer; and, if so, when they hope that it may prove feasible to bring it onto the statute book. [HL2324]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone)Following the publication of the report of the Illicit Trade Advisory Panel in December 2000, very full and detailed consideration has been given to the proposal for a new criminal offence, i.e: "to the extent it is not covered by existing criminal law, it be a criminal offence dishonestly to import, deal in or be in possession of any cultural object, knowing or believing that the object was stolen, or illegally excavated, or removed from any monument or wreck contrary to local law". Following this consideration, I can announce that the Government can confirm their intention to introduce such an offence as soon as a legislative opportunity is available.