Written questions

British Museum: Restitution

Lords · Question HL1973 · Tabled 24 Oct 2024 · Department for Culture, Media and Sport · Official record

Answered 6 Nov 2024

Question

Asked by Lord Boateng

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the UK’s international reputation for respect for freedom of religion of the retention by the British Museum of the Ethiopian tabots and the inability of members of the Ethiop

Answer

Answered by Baroness Twycross, 6 Nov 2024

The government has not made an assessment, and has not raised the return of contested sacred objects with British Museum trustees.The British Museum operates independently of the government. Decisions relating to the care and management of its collections...