Overview

This bill proposes the transfer of ownership of the Parthenon Sculptures (also known as the Elgin Marbles) from the British Museum to the Greek government. The transfer is conditional upon a bilateral agreement covering transportation, costs, maintenance, and public access.

Description

The bill's core aim is to return the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece. It achieves this by:

• Transferring Ownership: Section 1 transfers ownership to the Greek government, contingent on a future agreement between the UK and Greek governments.
• Defining the Collection: The Secretary of State will determine precisely which artefacts are included, after consultation with the British Museum, Greek representatives, and other relevant parties.
• Agreement Requirements: The agreement must cover the sculptures' transportation (including cost allocation), their maintenance and display in Greece, and arrangements for continued access by experts, students, and the public.
• Parliamentary Approval: Any regulations or agreements are subject to parliamentary approval.
• British Museum Act Amendment: Sections 2 amends the British Museum Act 1963 to exclude the Parthenon Sculptures from its provisions regarding disposal or transfer of objects.
• Other Artefacts: The bill explicitly states it does not affect other artefacts in British national museums.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify exact figures, but it implies the UK government will share responsibility for the costs of transporting the sculptures to Greece as part of the agreement with the Greek government. Further financial implications will depend on the details of the agreement.

Groups Affected

• Greek Government: Gains ownership and responsibility for the sculptures.
• British Museum: Loses ownership of the sculptures and faces adjustments to its collections and operations.
• Public (UK and Greece): Access to the sculptures will be affected, with potential changes in location and accessibility determined by the agreement.
• Experts and Scholars: Continued access is anticipated, though the specifics will be defined in the agreement.

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