Plans to move the licensing service – which assesses whether works of art should be allowed to go abroad or not – from London to Birmingham were postponed after objections from the British Art Market Federation and dealers, who said it would delay permissions and damage business. They want an online version launched to support the trade.
The MLA will be wound up and its functions transferred to other organisations by 2012, but, as of yet, it is not clear who will take over responsibility for Export Licensing.
