§ 70. Mr. Nicholas BakerTo ask the Minister for the Arts what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the return of the Elgin marbles to Greece.
§ Mr. LuceIt is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that the Elgin marbles were legally obtained and that they should remain in the British museum, whose trustees consider it in the general interest to maintain the integrity of the museum's collections for the benefit of international scholarship and the enjoyment of the general public.
§ Mr. BakerIs my right hon. Friend aware that to return the marbles would be a dagger blow between the shoulder blades of those who have benefited from a classical education and those who will do so in future? Is he further aware that the Greek Government could not put the marbles on the Parthenon and that they would be stored 16 in a museum? Would not returning them lead to an international cry for the return of such treasures from museums throughout the world?
§ Mr. LuceI agree with all my hon. Friend's points. The fact is that the marbles were legally acquired for this nation. It is interesting that there are no fewer than six other capitals in Western Europe that possess some of the Parthenon sculptures. We have about 50 per cent. They were legally acquired and it is right to retain them.
§ Mr. Tony BanksDoes the Minister accept that there are many people in this country, and certainly in Greece, who believe that the Elgin marbles were stolen from Greece? The legal interpretation of this country is very much in dispute. Does he further accept that it would do a great deal to encourage friendship between our two countries if Britain returned the marbles to Greece—in much the same way as Venice has asked for the bones of Casanova to be returned?
§ Mr. LuceI have considerable sympathy with those who say that if we start down that road there will no end to the number of objects of art in this country that we would have to return. I do not think that that would make sense.