LONDON, ENGLAND.- Seven items worth £6.8 million have been saved for the nation following export deferral during 2003-04. During the period 1 July 2003 to 30 April 2004, the Arts Minister, Estelle Morris, placed temporary bars on the export of nine objects of outstanding significance including tables, paintings and an archive.

One item, worth £0.6 million, was exported after failing to find a UK purchaser. Another remains under deferral.

Details of all the cases are contained in the 50th annual report, published today, of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art, which provides independent advice to the Arts Minister on the pre-eminence of cultural and historic objects seeking export licences.

Estelle Morris said: "It is very gratifying that such a high proportion of items placed under deferral has been purchased and will be retained in this country. All these 'saved' items will now become available for the public to enjoy, some, such as the archive of G King and Son of Norwich, in the area where they hold a particularly strong significance.

"I would like to congratulate the Chairman of the Reviewing Committee, Lord Inglewood, and all Committee members for their work."