Paris, Aug. 4 -- The French government on Wednesday discussed a new bill aimed at expediting the return of artworks acquired during the colonial era to their countries of origin, France 24 reported.

According to France's culture ministry, if passed, the legislation would allow for the return of cultural items in France's national collection that were "originating from states that, due to illicit appropriation, were deprived of them" between 1815 and 1972, France 24 said.

The ministry noted that the law would apply to artworks acquired through "theft, looting, transfer or donation obtained through coercion or violence, or from a person who was not entitled to dispose of them," France 24 reported.

A government spokeswoman said the bill w...