David Lammy: My Department has issued a consultation paper on the restitution of objects spoliated during the Nazi era. The consultation asks whether it would be appropriate to remove the current statutory restrictions to allow museums to restitute works of art in their collections which were lost during the Nazi era. The consultation has now ended and we are considering the responses and next steps.
David Lammy: We are carefully considering the recent recommendation of the Spoliation Advisory Panel that legislation should be introduced to permit the return of items where possession was lost during the Nazi era. The Vice Chancellor's judgment of 27 May provides clarity in this important area and will contribute to our consideration of the Panel's recommendation.
David Lammy: ...website of items held in national collections which may be of uncertain provenance during the 1933–45 period. It has made no estimate of the number which are thought to have been looted by the Nazis.
David Lammy: The Government remain committed to correcting the terrible injustices suffered by those who lost cultural objects at the hands of the Nazis. The immunity from seizure proposed in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill will not apply to any works which are usually kept within the UK, or which are owned by someone ordinarily resident in the UK. Objects in the permanent collections of UK...
David Lammy: I have considered carefully the potential impact of the Tribunals, Court and Enforcement Bill on the ability of owners of art looted by the Nazis to recover their property. The immunity provided for in the Bill will not apply to art and artefacts on long-term loan from overseas. Only the museums which I have approved will be able to arrange temporary exhibitions of objects benefiting from the...
David Lammy: ...racism in our country? What does it say about Britain when our politicians play on the fear of migrants, races and religions to win votes? What did it say when Nigel Farage stood in front of a Nazi-inspired poster of refugees with the caption, “Breaking point”? The founder of the Labour party, Keir Hardie, spoke of socialism’s “promise of freedom”, its “larger hope for...