To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions her Department has had with the British Museum on the future of the Elgin Marbles. (129853)

My Department is in regular contact with the British Museum on issues relating to the Parthenon Sculptures. Decisions on the future of the sculptures are a matter for the British Museum trustees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions her Department has had with the Government of Greece on the Elgin Marbles; what her policy is on (a) ownership and (b) loan to Greece of the Marbles; and if she will make a statement. (129854)

My Department has had no discussions with the Greek Government on the Parthenon Sculptures since December 2004. Items in the collection of the British Museum are vested in the care of the trustees under the British Museum Act 1963. Issues relating to the ownership or loan of the Parthenon Sculptures are matters for the trustees and Government do not intervene.