PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Historical literary documents (15 June 2021)

That this House recognises the cultural significance of maintaining historical literary documents within the UK for the enjoyment and education of future generations; notes that the Honresfield collection is set to be auctioned later in 2021; further notes that allowing that collection to move into private ownership hampers scholarly access and removes those documents from the heritage landscape in West Yorkshire; asserts that the Honresfield collection would make an ideal centrepiece collection for the proposed British Library North, a potential cultural hub in the North of England; urges the Government to work in collaboration with The Brontë Society to ensure that that collection remains in its place of origin; and further urges the Government to introduce legislative proposals to establish minimum standards of heritage conservation and curation for items of historical literary significance.

Sponsored by:
Mr Barry Sheerman (Labour)