UK PARLIAMENT CLOSER TO PASSING BILL ALLOWING MUSEUMS TO DEACCESSION NAZI-LOOTED ART
October 13, 2009
Legislation expected to be limited to 1933-1945 only
Published online 23 Apr 09
LONDON. A Private Members’ Bill is to be presented for its second reading in parliament on 15 May, to allow UK national museums to deaccession art works spoliated during the Nazi period.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is expected to support the bill, subject to drafting changes, which will greatly increase its chances of eventually becoming law. The DCMS originally hoped to incorporate a clause allowing deaccessioning of Nazi-era spoliation into the Heritage Protection Bill, but last December the bill was dropped, because of pressure of government business in Parliament.