[CPProt.net] Swire calls on Culture Minister to take action on looted Nazi art

[MSN CPPnet]

Swire calls on Culture Minister to take action on looted Nazi art 
 July 13, 2005
 
The Shadow Arts Minister, Hugo Swire has criticised the Minister for
Culture, David Lammy, for failing to understand the issues surrounding the
return of spoliated Nazi objects and failing to move forward, the process of
restitution from British museums and galleries. He said:

"In a departmental question this week, it was made clear that the Minister
does not understand the importance of honouring the Government's commitment
in 2000 to change legislation to allow for the return of art taken during
World War 2.

"Despite the Secretary of State's promise to act on the recommendation of
the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, she seems to have retreated on
that commitment. 

"Given the recent commemorations to mark the 60th Anniversary of the end of
World War 2 and the ruling by the Vice Chancellor stopping the British
museum from returning four Old Master drawings to the Feldmann family looted
from them by the Gestapo in 1949, is this not the time to finally deal with
this problem? Incidentally, this is a problem that most Museum Trustees and
Directors want to see finally resolved.

"The Government's failure to legislate is a disgrace. As an original
signatory to the Bretton Woods Agreement in July 1944, the Government should
introduce appropriate legislation without delay."

Hugo Swire MP