HC Deb 26 February 2004 vol 418 c504W
Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects the Advisory Panel on Illicit Trade to(a) report next and (b) be wound up. [155802]

Estelle Morris

I refer to the Government's response (published on 24 February) to the report (published on 16 December 2003) of the Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport Cultural Objects: Developments since 2000.

  1. (a> It is envisaged that the Illicit Trade Advisory Panel (ITAP) will produce its final report by March 2005. The exact timing of the report will be decided by the Panel at its next meeting.
  2. (b) It is the intention of the DCMS to begin to wind up ITAP. We are extremely grateful to the Chairman and members of the Panel for all their work in advising Government. However, it is felt that resources should now be focused on the implementation of the new policy framework. The timing of the last meeting will be decided by ITAP itself.