| answer text |
<p>The Parthenon Sculptures in the British Museum are legally owned by the Trustees
of the British Museum, which is operationally independent of Government. Decisions
relating to the care and management of the museum's collections are a matter for the
Trustees of the British Museum.</p><p>The British Museum is prohibited by law from
deaccessioning items from its collection, and we have no plans to change the law.</p><p>The
only discussions the Department has had on the matter of the Parthenon Sculptures
occur within the formal meetings of the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting
the Return of Cultural Property at UNESCO – the last one being attended by Government
officials in May 2022.</p><p>The Department does not hold discussions on this matter
with external parties, including with John Lefas, and consequently does not have additional
material to place in the Library of the House.</p>
|
 |
