Written question asked by Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Thursday, 29 October 2009.

Italy: Antiquities

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what requests have been received from the Italian legal authorities for assistance in returning to Italy antiquities allegedly exported illegally, formerly in the possession of Mr Robin Symes; and what response has been offered.

Answer: The UK can receive requests for assistance to return antiquities that have been allegedly illegally exported, through a number of routes including: the EU Council Directive 93/7/EC 1993 and the European Communities (Return of Cultural Objects) Regulations 1994, which set out procedures for mutual assistance between EU member states for the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of an EU member state. Such requests are handled by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The DCMS has received no requests for assistance from the Italian authorities in relation to Mr Symes under the EU Council Directive; and mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters. The Home Office UK Central Authority (UKCA) handles requests for mutual legal assistance where the assistance required is for use in an ongoing criminal investigation or for use in criminal proceedings. The UK is able to provide a wide range of assistance under the provisions of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005. It is the normal policy of the Home Office to neither confirm nor deny the receipt of MLA requests so as not to prejudice ongoing criminal investigations or criminal proceedings.

Secondary information