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Written Question
British Museum: Collections
Wednesday 30th September 2026

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government when they last discussed the request of the Rapa Nui to return the Hoa Hakananai'a with the trustees of the British Museum; and what offers, if any, they have made to the trustees to facilitate this.

Answered by Baroness Mackenzie of Sherwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Ministers regularly hold wide-ranging discussions with the Director of the British Museum, however this matter has not arisen since July 2024, and no such offers have been made.

The British Museum operates independently of the government. Decisions relating to the care and management of its collections, including the Hoa Hakananai'a, are a matter for its trustees. The British Museum’s governing legislation, the British Museum Act 1963, prohibits the museum from disposing of objects in its collection, unless, broadly, they are duplicates or unfit for retention. The two exceptions to this are for objects taken during the Nazi-era, and human remains less than 1000 years old. The Government has no plans to change the law.

Written Question
British Museum: Restitution
Friday 25th September 2026

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any adverse impacts on the UK's international reputation by the retention of the Hoa Hakananai'a by the British Museum; and when this matter was last raised by the government of Chile.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)


The British Museum operates independently of the Government, and decisions relating to the care and management of its collections are a matter for the Museum's Trustees. Government representatives have discussed issues relating to Hoa Hakananai'a with the British Museum, most recently in June 2025.

Speech in Grand Committee - Wed 16 Sep 2026
Railways Bill

"My Lords, Amendment 142 is in my name. I speak with apologies for not having attended Second Reading and with some trepidation, given the level of expertise on railways and rail that is clearly present on all sides in this Grand Committee. The noble Lord, Lord Moylan, began his contribution …..."
Lord Boateng - View Speech

View all Lord Boateng (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Railways Bill
Division Vote (Lords)
15 Sep 2026 - Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Boateng (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 156 Labour Aye votes vs 1 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 258 Noes - 109
Division Vote (Lords)
9 Sep 2026 - Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Boateng (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 142 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 226 Noes - 162
Division Vote (Lords)
9 Sep 2026 - Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Boateng (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 150 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 248 Noes - 163
Division Vote (Lords)
8 Sep 2026 - Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026 - View Vote Context
Lord Boateng (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 58 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 26 Noes - 63
Division Vote (Lords)
7 Sep 2026 - Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Boateng (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 151 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 69 Noes - 171
Division Vote (Lords)
7 Sep 2026 - Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Boateng (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 115 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 26 Noes - 119
Division Vote (Lords)
7 Sep 2026 - Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Boateng (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 133 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 59 Noes - 144