§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which Minister or Ministers made the decision that the lots of Privy Council silver withdrawn from auction on 29 October 2001 should not be classified as heritage assets; and why this decision was made; and [HL4174]
Whether in light of the decision to withdraw the Privy Council silver from auction, the Treasury will re-assess its decision not to classify any of the antique assets it holds as heritage assets; and [HL4175]
Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 11 April (WA 114), whether the Treasury sought expert independent advice before taking the decision that the lots of Privy Council silver should be classified as antiques rather than heritage assets; and, if so, whose advice did they take [HL4176]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyUnder guidance drawn up following advice from the independent Financial Reporting Advisory Board, in certain circumstances departments can classify as "heritage" assets items held primarily for their cultural and heritage significance. Such assets need not be capitalised or valued. Examples include Stonehenge and the government art collection.
The Treasury does not hold any items it believes could be classified as heritage assets within the definitions set out in the Resource Accounting Manual. The appropriate independent verification of this classification decision was provided by external audit of the Treasury's 2000–01 accounts. However, in respect of the proposed auction of the items, as I told your Lordships on 29 October, "It is fair to say that we did not consult as widely as we should have done" (Official Report, col 1175).