Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have a target date for the introduction of electronic licences for the export of works of art; and if not, when they anticipate they will announce a target date.

The feasibility of electronic licensing for the export of cultural objects is under active consideration by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England. The Department recognises the potential benefits of an electronic system as a means of simplifying the export licensing system and speeding up processes at the border. We are working with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, Border Force, and organisations in the arts and museums sectors who export cultural objects, to understand what systems may need to be maintained or introduced by the end of the EU exit implementation period. We will set a target timeframe for introducing electronic licenses pending further investigation and decisions on the development and implementation options.