The Earl of Clancarty
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of proposals for the permanent return of the Parthenon sculptures held by the British Museum to Greece.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Twycross) (Lab)
The Government have made no assessment of the proposals for the permanent return to Greece of the Parthenon sculptures held by the British Museum. We welcome the fact that the British Museum is in discussions with Greek Ministers, seeking a constructive partnership.
The Earl of Clancarty (CB)
My Lords, we hear the legal and nationalistic arguments for return, but surely the key argument is the aesthetic one. If, for example, Picasso’s “Guernica” were to be cut into pieces and displayed in different museums, there would be an almighty clamour to get those pieces reunited. Should not the same consideration be given to Phidias’s masterwork? Secondly, the Government say that this is a matter for the British Museum, except that its hands are tied by the British Museum Act. Will the Government amend the Act in a limited way so that a decision can be made?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
The British Museum and the Government recognise the strength of feeling on this. The British Museum has consistently stated that it would consider a loan request for the sculptures on the condition that the British Museum’s ownership is acknowledged and that a binding undertaking is given to return them. In relation to the Charities Act 2022, which I think is what the noble Earl was alluding to, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has committed to review the implementation of Sections 15 and 16 as part of the post-implementation review of the whole of that Act. This review is due to report in February 2027.
Viscount Hailsham (Con)
My Lords, given that our museums are stuffed full of artefacts acquired from abroad, frequently in rather doubtful circumstances, returning the sculptures will be a most unfortunate precedent.
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
We have a clear view that museums are independent of government; this is one of the principles that we adhere to. There are clear examples of museums returning items. As I said, however, the current position is that the British Museum is not planning to permanently return the Parthenon marbles, and that remains its position.
Lord Dubs (Lab)
My Lords, many of us have long argued that the Parthenon sculptures should be returned to Greece, notwithstanding what the Minister just said. Can the Minister clarify something? Does she believe that the present legislation—that is to say, Section 5(1)(c) of the British Museum Act—would be sufficient to return the sculptures, or does it require new legislation?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
The British Museum Act 1963 prevents the museum disposing of items in its collection. There are limited exceptions for duplicates and objects that are not fit for retention, with specific exemptions created in legislation for objects taken during the Nazi era and for human remains that are less than 1,000 years old. We welcome that the British Museum is in discussion with Greek Ministers to seek a constructive partnership. The director of the museum has alluded to the Bayeux Tapestry loan as a potential model. That is an interesting idea. The loan of the tapestry is proving a huge success story.
Lord Addington (LD)
My Lords, can the Government assure us that if an agreement is reached by the British Museum with Greece, any legislation that is required will be passed within this Parliament?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
At present, there is no agreement for us to lean into in that way but, as I said, the British Museum recognises the strength of feeling on this. It is working very hard to find an arrangement that works within the current legal framework. I refer noble Lords to the point that I made earlier around the implementation of Sections 15 and 16 of the Charities Act, which is part of the review. However, we are open to the museum exploring a loan agreement if that is agreeable to Greece’s Ministers and population.
Baroness Chakrabarti (Lab)
My Lords, if some of the crown jewels had been pinched, we would not be so glad of a loan agreement. Given what my noble friend the Minister said about this being a matter for the British Museum, will the British Museum Act be amended to untie the hands of the museum?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
We have no plans to review the British Museum Act. It was not in the King’s Speech. However, we recognise the strength of feeling on this. I can only stress that the British Museum is working extremely hard and discussing possible solutions with Greek Ministers.
The Earl of Effingham (Con)
My Lords, over 6 million people every year enjoy viewing the Elgin marbles. The British Museum’s stance is clear. It is of far greater concern that this Government are considering allowing mayors to introduce a holiday tax on British and international visitors, such as those to the British Museum. It will weaken tourism and put jobs at risk. Why are the Government intent on yet another tax levy that will hurt the economy?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I am slightly surprised that the noble Earl is taking this line of questioning. The Government are empowering mayoral strategic authorities and strategic authorities to introduce a potential visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their regions in order to drive economic growth, including full support for the visitor economy. Personally—I know this will be the case for many noble Lords across your Lordships’ House—I think very little of an additional fee when I pay for hotel accommodation overseas routinely. We are clear that local leaders will be setting out plans for how the revenues will be invested by early 2028. There will be plenty of time to discuss how the levy would work and the potential impact. We are clear that this is a positive step to enable mayors to drive their local economies.
Lord Ricketts (CB)
My Lords, referring back to a previous answer by the Minister, can she reassure the House—and any international partners who may be listening—that the Government’s intention is to permanently return the Bayeux Tapestry after its sensational run here? I understand that it has had more than 200,000 visitors.
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I assure the noble Lord, not least because of his role in ensuring that we were able to bring the Bayeaux Tapestry to the UK for the first time in more than 900 years, that there is no intention to keep the Bayeux Tapestry in this country. It would be over my dead body.
Lord Sahota (Lab)
My Lords, I wish all noble Lords a happy Diwali, which is at the weekend. When Britain annexed the Sikh Empire in 1849, the koh-i-noor diamond was taken from its young maharaja, Duleep Singh—he was only 10 years old—and subsequently presented to Queen Victoria. Many Sikhs have long maintained that the diamond was taken under duress and rightfully belongs to their heritage. Will the Government consider returning the koh-i-noor diamond to the Sikh community as this was an act of historical injustice?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I thank my noble friend for raising this issue, and I share his best wishes to everyone celebrating Diwali. I recognise the historical significance for the Sikh community. The diamond has a contested history. However, it remains the UK Government’s long-standing position that the koh-i-noor diamond should remain in the UK.
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)
My Lords, as a former archaeologist, I have some sympathy with the Greek Government, who argue that the sculptures were actually bought from the Ottoman Empire, not the Greek Empire. Therefore, perhaps there is a strong argument for returning them. I have visited the Parthenon and there are some quite naked bits where the sculptures ought to fit back.
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I can only reiterate that the UK has a really strong relationship with Greece that is built on shared values and history. We greatly value the friendship that exists between our people today. The Government do not have any plans to change the law or introduce legislation to permit the Parthenon sculptures to be returned permanently. However, we recognise, as the British Museum does, the strength of feeling on this and support the museum in its stating that it would consider a loan request for the sculptures should that be agreeable.
Captain of the King’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard and Deputy Chief Whip (Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent) (Lab)
My Lords, based on numbers so far, it is the turn of the Lib Dems.
Baroness Hussein-Ece (LD)
My Lords, the Greek Government have been trying to negotiate the return of the Parthenon marbles for decades, and we need to acknowledge that they are an integral part of Greece’s cultural heritage. A museum has been purpose-built near the site of the Parthenon where the sculptures were originally displayed for 2,000 years. The noble Lord on the Conservative Benches put his finger on it: the British Museum is stuffed full of artefacts from around the world. In fact, I understand that there is much that is not displayed in the basements and vaults. Maybe it would be an opportunity to bring some of those artefacts out if the museum returned the Parthenon marbles to Greece.
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I can only reiterate that we have no plans to legislate to do that at the moment, but we genuinely understand the strength of feeling, as does the British Museum.