§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her recent discussions with the Greek Culture Minister, Evangelos Venizelos. [80492]
§ Tessa JowellMr. Venizelos outlined his plans for Greece's Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2003 and explained the preparations that are being made for the Athens Olympics in 2004.
Mr. Venizelos also mentioned a proposal put forward by the Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Simitos, to the Prime Minister about reuniting the Parthenon sculptures in the planned new Acropolis Museum on a long-term loan basis with reciprocal loans to the British Museum. I explained that it is a matter for the Trustees of the British Museum to decide on any loans or reciprocal exchanges.