Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Monday, 15 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 October 2003. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 October 2003 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on her support for training conservation and heritage professionals in Iraq since 15th September.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her support for training conservation and heritage professionals in Iraq since 15 September. [130812] Tessa Jowell: The Government are committed to supporting the Iraqi people in securing the long-term well being of Iraqi collections and antiquities. We believe that the most sustainable way of achieving this is to ensure that the museums have Iraqi conservators, curators and restorers who have the necessary and up- to-date skills to look after the collections. The British Museum, English Heritage and other organisations funded through my Department are consequently providing initially six secondment scholarships to help train Iraqi Board of Antiquities staff in the skills which the board most urgently needs. A number of staff have already been identified who will come to the UK to undertake secondments in the British Museum as soon as possible. In addition, my Department has compiled a database of offers for help and support by a number of UK-based heritage bodies and will match these offers with future needs identified by the Board of Antiquities.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 130812; 411 c152-3W;411 c173-4W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Conservation Cultural heritage International assistance Iraq Staff Training
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk