Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Monday, 28 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 April 2005. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received concerning further steps to safeguard the archaeological heritage of Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning further steps to safeguard the archaeological heritage of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [224452] Mr. Rammell: The Government take very seriously the need to respect Iraq's cultural heritage. As United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546 (June 2004) stressed, all parties need to respect and protect Iraq's archaeological, historical, cultural, and religious heritage. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are in regular contact with the Iraqi Ministry of Culture. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Tessa Jowell) has spoken with the Iraqi Minister of Culture and is kept closely informed of key cultural issues in Iraq. At the Iraqi Ministry's request we helped facilitate a British Museum visit to Babylon in December 2004. The Government are currently funding three Iraqi interns to receive training on site management techniques and museology, based at the British Museum. We continue to look at ways of supporting the museum's involvement in Iraq.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1231-2W; 224452
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Conservation Cultural heritage Archaeological sites Iraq Historic buildings Protection
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk