Clarification requested by Jacques Jaujard on restitution procedures

According to paragraph 4 of Title 1 of the Ordinance of November 14, 1944, Jaujard argued that museums can’t make a restitution unless a text regulates the procedure. Since the Musées Nationaux currently possess a number of works for which the museums exercised a right of pre-emption, Jaujard asked Albert Henraux to clarify the restitution procedure for these works. How should the Musées Nationaux proceed under these circumstances? Should the restitution be carried out directly by the Musées Nationaux or should it go through the Commission de Récupération Artistique?

According to Jaujard, Mrs. Schloss was not deprived of the French nationality, but her collection was seized by the CGQJ and was in its care while its sale was being negotiated. The sums realized would be supposedly put into the owner’s account. However, since the right of pre-emption of the National Museums was applied to her case, 49 of the three hundred or so paintings of the collection were therefore pre-empted. While no payment was made by the Musées Nationaux, the heirs of Mrs. Schloss have requested the urgent and immediate return of the 49 paintings in our possession.