§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has held in relation to the creation of a national database of stolen or otherwise tainted cultural objects in the last six months, with particular reference to discussions with(a) the Home Office, (b) the police, (c) bodies in the cultural sector and (d) other organisations; and if she will make a statement. [185678]
§ Estelle MorrisOfficials within the Department worked jointly on a Home Office funded Options Appraisal, carried out by independent consultants. As part of that appraisal process, the police, bodies in the cultural sector, and other organisations, such as commercial providers of cultural databases, were invited to discuss their views. We are still considering how best to move forward in light of the findings of the report.