To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress towards international standards on cultural diversity at the recent UNESCO conference. [134541]

It was agreed at the recent UNESCO General Conference that an international standard-setting instrument on cultural diversity would be prepared. The Director General of UNESCO would like to adopt a new draft instrument at the next General Conference in the autumn of 2005. He has also undertaken to consult other UN agencies with interests in cultural diversity. The UK will await the result of this and any internal consultations before deciding whether to become a party to the convention.