RETURN OF THE LINDISFARNE GOSPELS TO DURHAM CATHEDRAL

Early day motion 1437, tabled 20 January 2006 by Roberta Blackman-Woods (Labour). Signed by 43 members.

That this House seeks the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to their original home in Durham Cathedral; notes that the Gospels date from 698 AD and represent the first great religious and cultural achievement which combines the Roman, Celtic and Saxon traditions; further notes that they were prepared for the shrine of St. Cuthbert on the island of Lindisfarne, now known as Holy Island, off the North East coast and that the permanent home of the shrine of St. Cuthbert and the Gospels was, from 995 AD to the Reformation, the great Cathedral of Durham; further notes that the brief 1987 and 1996 return of the Gospels to Durham and Newcastle resulted in large attendances of local people; and therefore calls upon the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the trustees of the British Library to arrange for the permanent return of the Gospels to Durham Cathedral.

Signatures by party: Labour 33, Liberal Democrat 4, Conservative 2, DUP 2, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.