Saving our national treasures

GREATER protection for artwork and artefacts considered national treasures have been outlined to stop them being sold to foreign collectors.

Items including Jane Austen’s ring and Lawrence of Arabia’s dagger are among those that have come under threat – but been saved.

The measures, set out in a public consultation, would strengthen export rules and give UK museums and collectors a better chance of acquiring items.

The Government’s proposed protections would bring in formal, legally binding agreements with private sellers to replace the current “gentleman’s agreement” system.