Auctions: Human Remains
Lords · Question HL1317 · Tabled 25 Jun 2026 · Department for Culture, Media and Sport · Official record
Answered 9 Jul 2026
Question
Asked by Lord Boateng
To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the sale of a mummified human head and a dangerous tribal skull from Borneo by On the Square Emporium Ltd in Belfast, whether they have any plans to restrict the sale of human remains by auction houses.
Answer
Answered by Baroness Twycross, 9 Jul 2026
The Government is aware of the distress caused by the sale of human remains, via auction or any other means, and finds this activity abhorrent. Under the current framework it is for auction houses to decide whether to prohibit sales of human remains, taki...