Policy background
- The Panel was established by the Government in 2000 to consider claims for the Return of Cultural Objects in UK collections lost during the Nazi era. It offers non-binding advice to museums and claimants on what might be an appropriate solution in accordance with the Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art, adopted in 1998 by 44 states, including all EU member states. These Principles aim to encourage the resolution of issues relating to the Return of Cultural Objects lost during the Nazi era. The Panel may also advise on claims for items in private ownership but only where this follows a joint request by the claimant and the owner.
- Prior to 2009, where the Panel found that the return of an item in a national museum or gallery was an appropriate solution, it was unable to recommend this because of legal restrictions in the governing legislation of these institutions. The statutory framework only allows the Board of Trustees of these institutions to dispose of items held in their collections in very limited circumstances, not including following a recommendation by the Panel.
- With the introduction of the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act 2009, the 17 listed institutions are able to return items lost during the Nazi era, where this follows a recommendation by the Panel and the Secretary of State agrees. Scottish Ministers must consent before the Secretary of State can approve a recommendation that relates to an object in the collection of one of the Scottish listed institutions. The 2009 Act includes a sunset clause which means that it will cease to have effect after 11 November 2019.
