That this House believes that the sculptures of the Parthenon belong not to the British Museum, nor to the British Government, nor even to Greece, but to the Parthenon from which they were hacked, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thus to the whole of humanity; notes that work has now started on the new Acropolis Museum in the shadow of the Parthenon, with glass fronted galleries designed for the display of the sculptures in their original configuration with the Parthenon visible behind them; considers that this is the best possible mode of display for the sculptures and is possible only in this location; is mindful of the Private Member's Bill of the honourable Member for Knowsley South which is framed to make possible more international co-operation in the display of cultural objects; is convinced that the display of the Parthenon sculptures offers a unique opportunity for such co-operation which would bring great credit to Britain; and thus urges the Government to begin preparations now, in partnership with the Greek Government, for the transfer of the sculptures to Athens for display in the Acropolis Museum in time for the opening of the Athens Olympics in 2004.

That this House believes that the sculptures of the Parthenon belong not to the British Museum, nor to the British Government, nor even to Greece, but to the Parthenon from which they were hacked, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thus to the whole of humanity; notes that work has now...

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.

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...

That this House welcomes the publication of the Seventh Report of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee; notes the observation of the Committee that the Greek case on the Elgin Marbles as presented to the Committee represents part of a development of that Government's case, that the current case does not dwell on the circumstances of the acquisition or legal issues, and emphasises the paramount importance of a change in the location of the marbles rather than their ownership; welcomes the statement of the Minister for the Arts, as recorded in paragraph 152 of the report, that Her Majesty's Government was happy to discuss the issue of the marbles, and that any progress was dependent upon 'a closer meeting of minds, a closer mutual understanding of each other's point of view'; and urges Her Majesty's Government immediately to enter into discussions with the Greek Government, with a new emphasis on what is possible rather than what is not possible, with regard to the future location of the sculptures of the Parthenon.

That this House welcomes the publication of the Seventh Report of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee; notes the observation of the Committee that the Greek case on the Elgin Marbles as presented to the Committee represents part of a development of that Government's case, that the current case does...

That this House notes that a recent MORI opinion poll found a substantial majority in favour of returning the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece, and that a previous opinion poll organised by Channel 4 Television showed over 90 per cent. in favour; believes that the Parthenon and its sculptures form an artistic unity; notes that UNESCO has declared the Parthenon a world cultural heritage site and supports the return of the sculptures; observes that the Parthenon Sculptures were removed by Lord Elgin from Athens under terms and conditions which raise questions about his legal title to their ownership and therefore that of any subsequent purchase; is concerned at the damage done to the sculptures in the British Museum, and is confident that the new museum in Athens will be adequate for their safekeeping; questions whether more visitors would see the sculptures in the British Museum than in Athens; is aware of the fear that the restitution of the Parthenon Sculptures would set a precedent for the dismantling of all the great museum collections but believes that this would be averted if the sculptures were returned to Greece as a gesture of goodwill; believes that such a gesture would bring credit to the UK, and that the millennium would offer an opportunity for such a gesture or if that is too soon, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to enter into discussions with Greece on the restitution of the Parthenon Sculptures.

That this House notes that a recent MORI opinion poll found a substantial majority in favour of returning the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece, and that a previous opinion poll organised by Channel 4 Television showed over 90 per cent. in favour; believes that the Parthenon and its sculptures form an...

That this House congratulates Channel 4 on the quality and success of its recent Fifteen-to-One special programme about the Elgin Marbles; notes that in a subsequent telephone poll 92.5 per cent. out of 100,000 respondents voted in favour of the return of the marbles to Greece; considers that though there may have been plausible arguments in the past for the retention of these marbles in the British Museum, this poll provides clear evidence of public recognition that the case for their return is now transcendent; and therefore calls upon Her Majesty's Government to enter forthwith into immediate negotiations for this purpose with the government of Greece.

That this House congratulates Channel 4 on the quality and success of its recent Fifteen-to-One special programme about the Elgin Marbles; notes that in a subsequent telephone poll 92.5 per cent. out of 100,000 respondents voted in favour of the return of the marbles to Greece; considers that though there...