Reforming heritage laws ‘not a priority’, government says

Calls to make it easier for UK museums to consider repatriating cultural objects have been rebuked by the government.

The House of Lords debated a motion to amend the 40-year old National Heritage Act, tabled by Conservative former culture minister Lord Ed Vaizey, last Thursday (13 October).

Vaizey is chairing a new body aiming to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece. He has also suggested give greater freedom for museums to dispose of objects in their collection and deal with restitution requests.

Similar proposals have been made by museum sector leaders, including V&A Director Tristram Hunt.

But Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt has told MPs revisiting the legislation is “not a priority” for the government.

Her comment followed former Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden saying that amending the legislation risks institutions “facing a barrage of claims for restitution".

“I can assure you that if we allow this Pandora’s box to open, we will regret it for generations to come as we see those artefacts being removed to countries where they may be less safe,” he added.

Ms Mordaunt replied: “I thank Mr Dowden for raising this issue, and there were many nods around the chamber when he was speaking.

“I am aware that Lord Vaizey has a debate on this matter in the House of Lords, but I can tell Mr Dowden that revisiting the National Heritage Act is not a priority for this government.”

Mordaunt’s response appears to echo Prime Minister Liz Truss’ stance on the issue, who told GB News at the Conservative Party conference earlier this month: “I don’t support that”.