Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects)

A Bill to provide for the transfer from public museum and gallery collections of arts, artefacts and other objects stolen between 1933 and 1945 by or on behalf of the Nazi regime, its members and sympathisers; to provide for the return of such artefacts and objects to the lawful owners, their heirs and successors; and for connected purposes.

Now an Act of Parliament

The story so farThe Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) was introduced in the House of Commons on 26 January 2009 by Mr Andrew Dismore (Labour). It completed its passage through Parliament and became law, receiving Royal Assent on 12 November 2009.

What the bill does

The Bill would give the trustees of various public museums in Britain the power of de-accession of any artefacts or cultural objects currently held in their collections which had been stolen by or on behalf of the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945, so that these artefacts could be returned to the lawful owners or their heirs. The Bill provides that this power could only be exercised where the return is recommended by an advisory body established by the Secretary of State and where the Secretary of State accepts that body’s recommendation.

Progress through Parliament

1st reading Commons 26 Jan 2009
2nd reading Commons 15 May 2009
Committee stage Commons 10 Jun 2009
Report stage Commons 26 Jun 2009
3rd reading Commons 26 Jun 2009
1st reading Lords 29 Jun 2009
2nd reading Lords 10 Jul 2009
Order of Commitment discharged Lords 19 Oct 2009
3rd reading Lords 27 Oct 2009
Royal Assent Unassigned 12 Nov 2009

Source: the official bill page. Last updated 20 Nov 2009.