STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

That this House welcomes the launch of the public fundraising campaign to save the Staffordshire Hoard, led by The Art Fund working with Birmingham City Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council, Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council; recognises the national importance of the Hoard as the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found on UK soil, which has the ability to shed new light on the lives of Anglo-Saxon people and the historically significant region known as Mercia; notes that the campaign has until 17 April 2010 to raise the required £3.3 million to keep the treasure in the West Midlands, or it may be sold on the open market; and urges parliamentarians and members of public alike to donate to ensure that this unprecedented find is kept together on public display at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery and the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent.