To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has (a) taken and (b) plans to take to improve artistic links between the United Kingdom and Israel; and if he will make a statement. (206136)

I am aware that there have been and will be strong artistic links between the UK and Israel and I welcome this. There are no unique barriers to organisations in forming artistic links between our two countries. I have not therefore taken, nor do I plan to take, any special steps to improve artistic links with Israel, over and above those normally in place.