As this motion is using historical data, we may not have the record of the original ordering, in which case signatories are listed alphabetically.
This motion has subsequently been withdrawn by the tabling Member.
Suggested amendment
delete from 'Marbles' to end and add 'were legitimately acquired and brought to Britain by Lord Elgin, were subsequently acquired for the British Museum with resources voted by Parliament, were vested in the ownership of the Trustees of the British Museum by Act of Parliament, are one of the glories of the collection of the British Museum, which is a great international collection, open to all free of charge and visited by some six million people from across the world every year and by their presence in London, in the British Museum, attest the diffusion and influence across the world of classical Greek civilisation; understands the view held by many in modern Greece that these sculptures are emblematic of Greece, but does not believe that there is a unique issue of principle in the case of the Parthenon Marbles which would justify exceptional treatment; rejects the nationalistic view that a great work of art should only properly be kept in the country where it was originally created, and believes that the principle of an encyclopaedic museum, from which much good has come and continues to come, would be undermined by removal of the Marbles for political reasons; and therefore says to the Government and people of Greece, in a spirit of cordiality, that it would be wrong for Parliament to agree to the transfer of the Marbles to Athens.'.
Original motion text
That this House is aware that the Parthenon Marbles, most of which are included in the Elgin Marbles collection in the British Museum, are integral architectural features of the Parthenon, itself a UNESCO world heritage site; notes with interest that the Greek Government has commissioned a new Acropolis Museum at a cost of twenty nine million pounds to be situated at the foot of the Acropolis and including a glass gallery facing the Parthenon and specifically intended to house the Parthenon Marbles; understands that this gallery will remain empty as long as the Parthenon Marbles are not available for display in it; is concerned that this will bring great discredit to the British Government and the British Museum in the eyes of the estimated three million visitors per annum to the Acropolis Museum from around the world; recognises that this location is unique as the only one in which it will be possible to view the Parthenon and its sculptures together in one experience; and calls upon the Government immediately to enter into discussions with the Greek Government with the purpose of returning the Parthenon Marbles to Athens for display in their gallery in the Acropolis Museum when it is opened at the time of the Athens Olympics in 2004.
Signatures (1)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
There are no withdrawn signatures for this amendment.