To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2007, Official Report, column 1327W, on cultural heritage: Iraq, what discussions she has had with the (a) British Museum and (b) British Library on the contribution made to the protection of sites of Iraqi cultural heritage since 2003; and if she will make a statement. (136359)

Ministers have had a number of meetings with the British Museum and the British Library since 2003. These discussions have touched on many aspects of their work, and this has included their work in Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2007, Official Report, column 1327W, on cultural heritage: Iraq, what assessment she has made of the performance of the British Museum in assisting the preservation of sites of cultural heritage in Iraq; and how much her Department has provided to the British Museum for the purpose of assisting in the preservation of sites of Iraqi cultural heritage in each year since 2003. (136371)

The British Museum has undertaken important work in support of the preservation of Iraqi heritage. Work such as hosting three Iraqi interns studying the management of archaeological sites in the UK for eight weeks; providing expertise and training on conservation and site management; and sending archaeologists to Iraq who co-ordinated the quick supply of a wide range of materials and equipment to the Baghdad Museum.

My Department does not ring fence the Grant-in-Aid it provides to the national museums and galleries it sponsors. It is a matter for the institutions themselves to decide how best to spend the funds they receive. The British Museum has received the following Grant-in-Aid since 2003: