Asked by: Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to publish the review of local government archaeology services by John Howell MP and Lord Redesdale, which was commissioned in October 2013 by the Minister for Culture, Communication and Creative Industries, Mr Ed Vaizey MP; and when they plan to announce their response.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The review of local government archaeology services usefully highlighted the imperative of ensuring that local planning authorities have the historic environment information and expertise they need to help deliver sustainable development. Historic England is currently working with the Historic Environment Forum to develop sector-led ideas for new approaches to managing change in the historic environment that make the best use of local government resources and reduce burdens.
Asked by: Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to complete and publish the recommendations of their review of the Treasure Act 1996.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
My Department will be conducting a public consultation later this year which will contain a number of proposals relating to the definition of Treasure and other measures set out in the Treasure Code of Practice. The Government's response to the consultation will be published thereafter.
Asked by: Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they have not yet ratified the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict; and when they plan to do so.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Government has made a commitment to bring forward legislation to ratify the Hague Convention and accede its two protocols at the first opportunity. Previous Governments were unable to find the necessary parliamentary time to do this earlier.
Asked by: Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 12 May (HL Deb, col 1650), when they expect there to be parliamentary time to introduce legislation to ratify the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict; and what assessment they have made of the damage to cultural property in the recent and continuing armed conflict in Syria and northern Iraq.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
The legislative priorities for this session were set out in the Queen’s speech in June. The Government remains committed to protecting cultural heritage and we will seek to legislate on the 1954 Hague Convention and the subsequent protocols when parliamentary time allows. The 1954 convention already informs the Armed Forces’ law of armed conflict doctrine and training policy, particularly with regard to respect for cultural property, precautions in attack and recognition of the protective emblem.
The Government is deeply concerned by reports of damage to cultural property in Syria and Northern Iraq, including recent attacks by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant against Mosques, Churches and other holy places. The reported destruction of the Tomb of Yonus (Jonah) in Mosul on 24 July by ISIL is further evidence of the groups barbarism and disregard for International Humanitarian Law. We are also concerned that Syria’s cultural heritage is being plundered for private profit. That is why in December 2013 the UK and other EU nations amended the EU’s sanctions regime to make clear that involvement in trade relating to artefacts illegally removed from Syria is prohibited. This will help safeguard Syria’s cultural heritage for the future and we will continue to do all we can to bring an end to the conflict and restore stability in the region.
Asked by: Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recommendation by the British Academy and the Honor Frost Foundation to the Foreign Secretary on 20 March that the United Kingdom should ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
Answered by Baroness Jolly
I have noted the recommendations of the British Academy and the Honor Frost Foundation. DCMS will begin reviewing the conclusions of the recent Impact Report on the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage later this year.