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Repatriation of Historical Objects

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his sympathy, and I am glad that we are building consensus across several parties this afternoon. As I said, we are asking for people to have the opportunity to experience the chessmen in the place where they came from. Therefore, I reiterate my request to move the chessmen permanently—under whatever label is chosen to describe that movement—back to the Outer Hebrides. Historical objects are not just pieces of art, gold or jewellery, but gateways to the past. Such gateways are accentuated by the landscape, scenery and the society that created them. Perhaps such a move will help people connect in a better way with the chessmen and the civilisation that produced them if they are viewed in Lewis, rather than in a glass case in the middle of London.