VIONNET DRESSES

That this House welcomes efforts by the Government to retain the 11 rare dresses designed by French couturier Madeleine Vionnet by placing a bar on their export; notes the recommendation of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest that they are of outstanding aesthetic importance and of significance for the study of the history of fashion; and urges the Victoria and Albert Museum and other fashion museums to make every effort to ensure that the asking price of £450,000 is raised by a UK buyer in time for the decision to be made on the export licence application on 22 April 2009.