7. Memorandum submitted by the Commission
for Looted Art in Europe
We understand that your Committee is currently
taking further evidence on the subject of "Cultural Property:
Return and Illicit Trade" and would like to know if you are
intending to look at the spoliation aspect of this issue.
As you will know, Recommendations xvii, xix
and xx in your 2000 Report have not been taken forward, despite
the Committee calling for progress to be made as a matter of urgency.
Restitution remains legislatively unavailable, even where trustees
of a museum may wish to effect it. You may also be aware of the
two recent articles in the Guardian, of which I am attaching
copies, which set out some issues relating to current practice
with the art trade.
We should be interested to learn what your plans
are, and look forward to hearing from you.
4 November 2003
| 
