Early Day Motions

PARTHENON MARBLES AND THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM

EDM (Early Day Motion) 336: tabled on 31 October 2001

Tabled in the 2001-02 session.

This motion has been signed by 110 Members. It has received 1 amendment.

As this motion is using historical data, we may not have the record of the original ordering, in which case signatories are listed alphabetically.

Amendment to this motion

There has been an amendment submitted to this motion.

View details of the amendment

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.

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.

O'Hara, Mr Edward
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Knowsley South
Primary
Adams, Mrs Irene
Labour
Signed on 5 February 2002
Paisley North
Allan, Mr Richard
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 31 October 2001
Sheffield, Hallam
Anderson, Janet
Labour
Signed on 7 November 2001
Rossendale and Darwen
Austin, John
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Erith and Thamesmead
Bailey, Mr Adrian
Labour
Signed on 29 November 2001
West Bromwich West

In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.

Banks, Tony
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
West Ham
Barnes, Mr Harry
Labour
Signed on 9 January 2002
North East Derbyshire
Barrett, John
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 5 November 2001
Edinburgh West
Bennett, Andrew
Labour
Signed on 3 December 2001
Denton and Reddish
Benton, Mr Joe
Labour
Signed on 16 November 2001
Bootle
Berry, Dr Roger
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Kingswood
Best, Mr Harold
Labour
Signed on 6 November 2001
Leeds North West
Breed, Mr Colin
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 6 November 2001
South East Cornwall
Burnham, Andy
Labour
Signed on 18 December 2001
Leigh
Cable, Dr Vincent
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 5 November 2001
Twickenham
Calton, Mrs Patsy
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 3 December 2001
Cheadle
Campbell, Mr Ronnie
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Blyth Valley
Caton, Mr Martin
Labour
Signed on 6 November 2001
Gower
Chaytor, Mr David
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Bury North
Clapham, Mr Michael
Labour
Signed on 15 November 2001
Barnsley West and Penistone
Clark, Mrs Helen
Labour
Signed on 29 November 2001
Peterborough
Clarke, Mr Tony
Labour
Signed on 13 February 2002
Northampton South
Cohen, Harry
Labour
Signed on 26 November 2001
Leyton and Wanstead
Connarty, Michael
Labour
Signed on 6 November 2001
Falkirk East
Cook, Frank
Labour
Signed on 5 November 2001
Stockton North
Corbyn, Jeremy
Labour
Signed on 15 November 2001
Islington North
Cotter, Brian
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 13 November 2001
Weston-Super-Mare
Cox, Tom
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Tooting
Cryer, Mrs Ann
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Keighley
Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Claire
Labour
Signed on 17 January 2002
Crosby
Davey, Valerie
Labour
Signed on 15 November 2001
Bristol West
Davis, Mr Terry
Labour
Signed on 11 December 2001
Birmingham, Hodge Hill
Dean, Mrs Janet
Labour
Signed on 21 November 2001
Burton
Dismore, Mr Andrew
Labour
Signed on 1 November 2001
Hendon
Dobbin, Jim
Labour
Signed on 13 December 2001
Heywood and Middleton
Doughty, Sue
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 5 November 2001
Guildford
Ennis, Jeff
Labour
Signed on 12 December 2001
Barnsley East and Mexborough
Etherington, Bill
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Sunderland North
Ewing, Annabelle
Scottish National Party
Signed on 29 November 2001
Perth
Fisher, Mark
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Flynn, Paul
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Newport West
Galloway, Mr George
Labour
Signed on 1 February 2002
Glasgow Kelvin
George, Andrew
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 5 November 2001
St. Ives
Gerrard, Mr Neil
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Walthamstow
Gibson, Dr Ian
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Norwich North
Gidley, Sandra
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 12 November 2001
Romsey
Green, Matthew
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 27 November 2001
Ludlow
Griffiths, Jane
Labour
Signed on 27 November 2001
Reading East
Griffiths, Mr Win
Labour
Signed on 30 November 2001
Bridgend
Hancock, Mr Mike
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 5 November 2001
Portsmouth South
Harvey, Nick
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 7 November 2001
North Devon
Heath, Mr David
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 5 November 2001
Somerton and Frome
Hermon, Lady Sylvia
Ulster Unionist Party
Signed on 9 January 2002
North Down
Holmes, Paul
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 5 November 2001
Chesterfield
Hood, Mr Jim
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Clydesdale
Hughes, Mr Kevin
Labour
Signed on 9 January 2002
Doncaster North
Jones, Mr Jon Owen
Labour
Signed on 10 December 2001
Cardiff Central
Jones, Lynne
Labour
Signed on 1 November 2001
Birmingham, Selly Oak
Jones, Mr Nigel
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 7 November 2001
Cheltenham
Keen, Alan
Labour
Signed on 11 December 2001
Feltham and Heston
Kilfoyle, Mr Peter
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Liverpool, Walton
Lamb, Norman
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 6 November 2001
North Norfolk
Lawrence, Mrs Jackie
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Preseli Pembrokeshire
Laws, Mr David
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 21 January 2002
Yeovil
Lepper, David
Labour
Signed on 1 November 2001
Brighton, Pavilion
Lewis, Mr Terry
Labour
Signed on 9 January 2002
Worsley
Lloyd, Tony
Labour
Signed on 9 January 2002
Manchester Central
Llwyd, Mr Elfyn
Plaid Cymru
Signed on 1 November 2001
Meirionnydd Nant Conwy
Mackinlay, Andrew
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Thurrock
Mahon, Alice
Labour
Signed on 1 November 2001
Halifax
Mann, John
Labour
Signed on 5 November 2001
Bassetlaw
McCafferty, Chris
Labour
Signed on 11 December 2001
Calder Valley
McDonnell, John
Labour
Signed on 8 November 2001
Hayes and Harlington
McKechin, Ann
Labour
Signed on 5 December 2001
Glasgow Maryhill
McNamara, Mr Kevin
Labour
Signed on 13 November 2001
Kingston upon Hull North
Meale, Mr Alan
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Mansfield
Moffatt, Laura
Labour
Signed on 8 November 2001
Crawley
Mullin, Mr Chris
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2002
Sunderland South
Munn, Meg
Labour
Signed on 19 December 2001
Sheffield, Heeley
O'Neill, Mr Martin
Labour
Signed on 30 November 2001
Ochil
Oaten, Mr Mark
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 1 November 2001
Winchester
Öpik, Lembit
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 24 January 2002
Montgomeryshire
Organ, Diana
Labour
Signed on 5 December 2001
Forest of Dean
Palmer, Dr Nick
Labour
Signed on 1 November 2001
Broxtowe
Perham, Linda
Labour
Signed on 2 November 2001
Ilford North
Pound, Stephen
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Ealing North
Prentice, Mr Gordon
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Pendle
Price, Adam
Plaid Cymru
Signed on 1 November 2001
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Rapson, Syd
Labour
Signed on 7 November 2001
Portsmouth North
Sawford, Phil
Labour
Signed on 8 January 2002
Kettering
Sheerman, Mr Barry
Labour
Signed on 4 December 2001
Huddersfield
Simpson, Alan
Labour
Signed on 15 November 2001
Nottingham South
Smyth, The Rev Martin
Ulster Unionist Party
Signed on 9 January 2002
Belfast South
Stewart, Mr David
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber
Stinchcombe, Mr Paul
Labour
Signed on 28 November 2001
Wellingborough
Taylor, Dr Richard
Independent
Signed on 28 November 2001
Wyre Forest
Thomas, Mr Simon
Plaid Cymru
Signed on 29 January 2002
Ceredigion
Tonge, Dr Jenny
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 28 November 2001
Richmond Park
Turner, Dr Desmond
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Brighton, Kemptown
Vis, Dr Rudi
Labour
Signed on 31 October 2001
Finchley and Golders Green
Wareing, Mr Robert N.
Labour
Signed on 1 November 2001
Liverpool, West Derby
Watson, Mr Tom
Labour
Signed on 3 December 2001
West Bromwich East
White, Brian
Labour
Signed on 25 February 2002
North East Milton Keynes
Williams, Mrs Betty
Labour
Signed on 10 December 2001
Conwy
Williams, Hywel
Plaid Cymru
Signed on 7 November 2001
Caernarfon
Willis, Mr Phil
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 8 November 2001
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Wood, Mike
Labour
Signed on 12 December 2001
Batley and Spen
Worthington, Tony
Labour
Signed on 8 January 2002
Clydebank and Milngavie
Younger-Ross, Richard
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 6 November 2001
Teignbridge

There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.

After a motion has been tabled, other Members can table amendments to it. Amendments to this motion are shown below.

PARTHENON MARBLES AND THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM (Amendment 1)
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.'.
Alan Howarth
Labour, Newport East
1
signature
EDM 336A1: tabled on 13 December 2001
Withdrawn