Early Day Motions

RETURN OF PARTHENON SCULPTURES TO ATHENS

EDM (Early Day Motion) 425: tabled on 14 January 2004

Tabled in the 2003-04 session.

This motion has been signed by 102 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 recognises that the building of the New Acropolis Museum offers an unprecedented opportunity to display the major parts of the Parthenon Marbles that are currently divided between London and Athens together, in the context of the Parthenon building for which they were designed; believes that such a display would be welcomed by a majority of British people; further believes that a solution to any legal issues is possible if the transfer occurs on the basis of a long-term loan; welcomes the Greek Government's offer to ensure that exhibitions of high quality Greek material would be brought to national and regional museums in the UK once the Marbles issues has been resolved; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to work with the British Museum and the Greek authorities to this end, in the spirit of co-operation and friendship so apt for any Olympic year.

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.

Dismore, Mr Andrew
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Hendon
Primary
Allan, Mr Richard
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Sheffield, Hallam
Austin, John
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Erith and Thamesmead
Baker, Norman
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 8 March 2004
Lewes
Barnes, Mr Harry
Labour
Signed on 15 January 2004
North East Derbyshire
Barrett, John
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Edinburgh West

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

Bennett, Andrew
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Denton and Reddish
Blackman, Liz
Labour
Signed on 16 March 2004
Erewash
Bradley, Mr Keith
Labour
Signed on 24 February 2004
Manchester, Withington
Brake, Tom
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Carshalton and Wallington
Breed, Mr Colin
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 19 January 2004
South East Cornwall
Brooke, Annette
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 9 March 2004
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Bruce, Malcolm
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 18 March 2004
Gordon
Burden, Richard
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Birmingham, Northfield
Burstow, Paul
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Sutton and Cheam
Calton, Mrs Patsy
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 4 February 2004
Cheadle
Carmichael, Mr Alistair
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Orkney and Shetland
Caton, Mr Martin
Labour
Signed on 19 January 2004
Gower
Chaytor, Mr David
Labour
Signed on 15 January 2004
Bury North
Clapham, Mr Michael
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Barnsley West and Penistone
Clarke, Mr Tony
Labour
Signed on 23 March 2004
Northampton South
Cohen, Harry
Labour
Signed on 25 February 2004
Leyton and Wanstead
Coleman, Mr Iain
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Hammersmith and Fulham
Connarty, Michael
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Falkirk East
Cook, Frank
Labour
Signed on 1 March 2004
Stockton North
Cook, Mr Robin
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Livingston
Corbyn, Jeremy
Labour
Signed on 21 January 2004
Islington North
Cox, Tom
Labour
Signed on 19 January 2004
Tooting
Cryer, Mrs Ann
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Keighley
Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Claire
Labour
Signed on 1 March 2004
Crosby
Davey, Valerie
Labour
Signed on 26 January 2004
Bristol West
Dean, Mrs Janet
Labour
Signed on 22 January 2004
Burton
Dobbin, Jim
Labour
Signed on 19 January 2004
Heywood and Middleton
Doughty, Sue
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Guildford
Edwards, Mr Huw
Labour
Signed on 27 January 2004
Monmouth
Etherington, Bill
Labour
Signed on 19 January 2004
Sunderland North
Ewing, Annabelle
Scottish National Party
Signed on 15 January 2004
Perth
Foster, Mr Don
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Bath
Foster, Michael Jabez
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Hastings and Rye
George, Andrew
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
St. Ives
Gerrard, Mr Neil
Labour
Signed on 15 January 2004
Walthamstow
Godsiff, Mr Roger
Labour
Signed on 26 January 2004
Birmingham, Sparkbrook and Small Heath
Griffiths, Mr Win
Labour
Signed on 11 February 2004
Bridgend
Hancock, Mr Mike
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 19 January 2004
Portsmouth South
Harris, Dr Evan
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Oxford West and Abingdon
Heath, Mr David
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Somerton and Frome
Heyes, David
Labour
Signed on 23 February 2004
Ashton under Lyne
Holmes, Paul
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 8 March 2004
Chesterfield
Hopkins, Kelvin
Labour
Signed on 20 January 2004
Luton North
Illsley, Mr Eric
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Barnsley Central
Jones, Lynne
Labour
Signed on 15 January 2004
Birmingham, Selly Oak
Jones, Mr Nigel
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 21 January 2004
Cheltenham
Keetch, Mr Paul
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 18 March 2004
Hereford
Lamb, Norman
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
North Norfolk
Lepper, David
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Brighton, Pavilion
Lloyd, Tony
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Manchester Central
Llwyd, Mr Elfyn
Plaid Cymru
Signed on 15 January 2004
Meirionnydd Nant Conwy
Mackinlay, Andrew
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Thurrock
Mahon, Alice
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Halifax
Marris, Rob
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Wolverhampton South West
Martlew, Mr Eric
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Carlisle
McCafferty, Chris
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Calder Valley
McDonnell, John
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Hayes and Harlington
McKechin, Ann
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Glasgow Maryhill
McNamara, Mr Kevin
Labour
Signed on 22 January 2004
Kingston upon Hull North
McWalter, Mr Tony
Labour
Signed on 15 March 2004
Hemel Hempstead
Meale, Mr Alan
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Mansfield
Naysmith, Dr Doug
Labour
Signed on 16 November 2004
Bristol North West
O'Hara, Mr Edward
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Knowsley South
Oaten, Mr Mark
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 10 March 2004
Winchester
Perham, Linda
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Ilford North
Pound, Stephen
Labour
Signed on 30 January 2004
Ealing North
Prentice, Mr Gordon
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Pendle
Price, Adam
Plaid Cymru
Signed on 19 January 2004
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Prosser, Gwyn
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Dover
Pugh, Dr John
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Southport
Rapson, Syd
Labour
Signed on 15 January 2004
Portsmouth North
Reid, Mr Alan
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 8 March 2004
Argyll and Bute
Robertson, Angus
Scottish National Party
Signed on 14 January 2004
Moray
Roche, Mrs Barbara
Labour
Signed on 19 April 2004
Hornsey and Wood Green
Rooney, Mr Terry
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Bradford North
Ruddock, Joan
Labour
Signed on 4 March 2004
Lewisham, Deptford
Salter, Martin
Labour
Signed on 23 April 2004
Reading West
Sanders, Mr Adrian
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Torbay
Sarwar, Mr Mohammad
Labour
Signed on 4 March 2004
Glasgow Govan
Sedgemore, Mr Brian
Labour
Signed on 23 February 2004
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Simpson, Alan
Labour
Signed on 5 February 2004
Nottingham South
Singh, Mr Marsha
Labour
Signed on 26 March 2004
Bradford West
Taylor, Matthew
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 15 March 2004
Truro and St. Austell
Taylor, Sir Teddy
Conservative
Signed on 14 January 2004
Rochford and Southend East
Teather, Sarah
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Brent East
Tonge, Dr Jenny
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Richmond Park
Turner, Dr Desmond
Labour
Signed on 15 January 2004
Brighton, Kemptown
Tyler, Mr Paul
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 22 January 2004
North Cornwall
Vaz, Keith
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Leicester East
Vis, Dr Rudi
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Finchley and Golders Green
White, Brian
Labour
Signed on 22 January 2004
North East Milton Keynes
Williams, Mrs Betty
Labour
Signed on 19 January 2004
Conwy
Willis, Mr Phil
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 January 2004
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Wood, Mike
Labour
Signed on 2 February 2004
Batley and Spen
Wright, Mr Anthony
Labour
Signed on 14 January 2004
Great Yarmouth

These members had previously signed the motion, but have now withdrawn their support. The date shown is when the Member withdrew their signature from the motion.

Davis, Mr Terry
Labour
Signature withdrawn on 22 January 2004
Birmingham, Hodge Hill

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

RETURN OF PARTHENON SCULPTURES TO ATHENS (Amendment 1)
Line 3, delete from 'currently' to end and insert 'held in Athens and have not been properly displayed to the public there for many years; notes that there are no plans to display these marbles or the Elgin Marbles in the proper context of other artistic and architectural masterpieces illustrating the development of culture in the Mediterranean and Near East before and after the Classical period; further notes that, unlike the British Museum, visitors to the marbles in Athens will be charged for entry; asserts that the Elgin Marbles are of international cultural value and this consideration should be paramount over political gestures and short term deals; and regrets that the slick and well-funded campaign by 'Marbles Reunited' has sought to denude the British Museum of one of its central attractions for 200 years on the grounds of promoting London's Olympic bid and taking advantage of current funding shortfalls of the Museum despite its own research showing that far fewer people visit the Parthenon than the British Museum where the Marbles are the second most visited exhibit.
Tim Loughton
Conservative, East Worthing and Shoreham
15
signatures
EDM 425A1: tabled on 15 January 2004