[CPProt.net] UK: 'Don't Buy Looted Goods By Accident'

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

25 October 2005

'Don't Buy Looted Goods By Accident' David Lammy Tells Heritage Bodies



Museums, libraries and archives must work to ensure that they do not
accidentally acquire material that has been stolen or looted, Culture
Minister David Lammy said today.

New Guidelines published today by the DCMS, urge cultural institutions to:

ask for evidence, or provenance, of the object’s history before acquiring
it; 
refuse to accept anything when there are doubts about its origins; and 
seek expert advice when they are unsure of how to progress.
The guidelines, which are supported by the all the leading bodies in the
area, follow increasing concern regarding the trade in illicit cultural
property.

The most recent statistics have British legitimate art sales standing at
£4.2 billion per annum. This represents around 25% share of the global
market. It is impossible to assess accurately the size of the illicit trade
market.

Minister for Culture, David Lammy MP, said:

“These guidelines will give museums, libraries and archives access to the
advice which will ensure that they can continue to expand their wonderful
collections safe in the knowledge that they are doing so legally and
ethically.”

Alan Pugh, Welsh Assembly Government Culture Minister, said:

"The clear advice contained in these guidelines will help highlight this
serious issue to ensure that artefacts of the highest quality are able to be
enjoyed by visitors to our museums, libraries and archives." 

Maurice Davies, Deputy Director of the Museums Association, said:

"If museums and galleries follow these guidelines they will be able to avoid
illicitly traded artefacts. I'm delighted that the guidelines set the
standard that museums and galleries are now expected to meet."

Chairman of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, Mark Wood, said:

“I very much welcome these guidelines. They mark a significant step in the
steady progress museums, libraries and archives have been making to ensure
that as collections develop and diversify, it is on the basis of the highest
ethical standards. It is no longer acceptable for our public institutions to
collect or borrow material which comes from an unethical source.   This
document gives the clear guidance which all institutions will welcome and
want to implement.”

Notes to Editors

1. The guidance is accessible here or a hard copy can be made available if
you write to Owain Lloyd-James, Cultural Property Unit, Department for
Culture, Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5DH.

2. The Guidelines were drafted by a working group, under the Chairmanship of
Maurice Davies, Deputy Director of the Museums Association and member of the
Illicit Trade Advisory Panel. The group contained representatives from
museums, libraries and archives.

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