Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Monday, 19 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 June 2003. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 June 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, pursuant to her oral Answer of 19th May, what action the Coalition is staking to protect the ziggurat-stepped pyramid at Ur; and if she will make a statement. - (Holding answer 22 May 2003).

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her oral answer of 19 May 2003, what action the Coalition is taking to protect the ziggurat-stepped pyramid at Ur; and if she will make a statement. [115106] Tessa Jowell: [holding answer 22 May 2003]: We are in the process of securing reports about the status of significant cultural and historic sites in Iraq. Coalition troops are in place to protect key sites, including the ziggurat-stepped pyramid at Ur. An official from my Department visited and inspected the ziggurat-stepped pyramid at Ur with an archaeologist on 21 May and found it to be in good order. Contrary to reports in the press, there was no evidence of graffiti.

Secondary information