MJZu0CrF
type: Answer
type: WrittenAnswer
answer has question: t1o5AKNv
answer has answering person: 3UZQn6bw
answer text: Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the lenders onsecuring the return of two bark etchings and an Aboriginal ceremonial headdress on loan to the Museum Victoria in Melbourne,Australia; why such items have not been returned; and if she will make a statement. [189148]Estelle Morris: DCMS has been following this matter with interest and is liaising closely with the British Museum (which has beenleading on this issue for the lenders), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the Australian High Commission. The Foreign andCommonwealth Office has represented the UK Government position directly to the Victorian State Government and to the FederalGovernment of Australia.The items in question are currently on loan from the British Museum and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to Museum Victoria. Their returnfrom Australia has been delayed by two Emergency Declarations imposed by an Aboriginal inspector under the Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander Protection Act 1984. The current Declarations expire on 18 September. While a Declaration is in force, theremoval of an item contrary to its terms is a criminal offence. Museum Victoria is therefore currently unable to return the items tothe British Museum and Kew Gardens.Like the lenders, we are concerned about the potentially negative impact of this issue upon future loans to Australian museums, andare keen for the loan agreements entered into by Museum Victoria to be honoured.
answer given date: 2004-09-16+01:00
answer has answering body: yHtx3dj0
written answer has answering body: yHtx3dj0