The Heritage Protection Bill and the Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill were not included in the Queen's speech last month.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said the government remained committed to both pieces of legislation, which are ready to be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Ian Morrison, the Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) head of historic environment conservation, said he was disappointed that the Heritage Protection Bill would not feature in the forthcoming parliamentary session.
It would still be possible to reform the system without the new legislation, he said, by working towards greater transparency and clarity in decision-making, capacity building within the heritage sector, and improving collaboration between heritage professionals.
But Morrison added that it was important that momentum for change and for greater recognition of the role of heritage in modern life should not be lost.
A spokesman for English Heritage said: "It is disappointing, but understandable in the current economic climate, that parliamentary time has not been found to take forward the Heritage Protection Bill in this session.
"However, we welcome the government's firm commitment to the heritage protection reform programme already under way, and to introducing legislation at the earliest opportunity."
Maurice Davies, deputy director of the Museums Association, said: "We have waited 54 years for the government to ratify the Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill, so, regretfully, if we have to wait one or two more years, then so be it.
"The loss of both bills is a reminder of how unimportant the government considers culture to be. But it is good that the government is still committed to both, and we hope to see them introduced as soon as possible."
A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said the government remained committed to both pieces of legislation, which are ready to be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Ian Morrison, the Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) head of historic environment conservation, said he was disappointed that the Heritage Protection Bill would not feature in the forthcoming parliamentary session.
It would still be possible to reform the system without the new legislation, he said, by working towards greater transparency and clarity in decision-making, capacity building within the heritage sector, and improving collaboration between heritage professionals.
But Morrison added that it was important that momentum for change and for greater recognition of the role of heritage in modern life should not be lost.
A spokesman for English Heritage said: "It is disappointing, but understandable in the current economic climate, that parliamentary time has not been found to take forward the Heritage Protection Bill in this session.
"However, we welcome the government's firm commitment to the heritage protection reform programme already under way, and to introducing legislation at the earliest opportunity."
Maurice Davies, deputy director of the Museums Association, said: "We have waited 54 years for the government to ratify the Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill, so, regretfully, if we have to wait one or two more years, then so be it.
"The loss of both bills is a reminder of how unimportant the government considers culture to be. But it is good that the government is still committed to both, and we hope to see them introduced as soon as possible."
Links
Museums Journal review, January 2009, p48: Babylon: Myth and Reality
Museums Journal review, January 2009, p48: Babylon: Myth and Reality
