Written question asked by Mike Penning (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 October 2005. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Friday, 28 October 2005 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Stolen Antiquities

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to help trace antiquities that were stolen from the Iraq National Museum; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Under the Iraq (United Nations) Sanctions Order 2003 any piece of cultural property illegally removed from Iraq after 6 August 1990 should be handed over to the police. Dealing in such material, which includes that which was stolen from the Iraq National Museum, is illegal.My Department is undertaking a number of projects designed to combat the illicit trade in stolen cultural goods. We recently published guidelines to museums, libraries and archives on the acquisition of such items, to help them ensure that their acquisitions are both legal and ethical. We are also funding the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council to produce a website offering advice to anyone wishing to purchase art and antiquities, to help them avoid purchasing illegally traded cultural property.

Secondary information