Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 31 January 2005. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Monday, 31 January 2005 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, what reports the Government has received on damage done to historic sites in Babylon; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what reports the Government have received on damage done to historic sites in Babylon; and if she will make a statement. [210094] Tessa Jowell: I have studied the report prepared by John Curtis of the British Museum on the damage caused to the site of Babylon. In addition to that report, my officials have kept closely in touch with Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials on matters relating to the protection of Iraq's heritage. I have also offered to help meet the cost of three interns coming to the UK from the Iraqi Ministry of Culture to learn the skills that will be necessary for the future management of the Babylon site and have confirmed this in my recent discussion with Mr. Muffeed Al Jazairi, the Iraqi Minister of Culture. The UK also remains committed to the terms of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546, which stressed, all parties need to respect and protect Iraq's archaeological, historical, cultural and religious heritage.

Secondary information