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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Lord Cotter (Liberal Democrat), on Wednesday, 10 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 191 members in total.

NAVAL WAR GRAVES

That this House recognises the enormous contribution made by British naval servicemen and women to the defence of this country; notes the concerns expressed by honourable Members from all parties about the plundering of naval war graves by some commercial and amateur divers; believes that naval war graves of all nations should be afforded greater protection under both existing legislation, such as the Protection of Military Remains Act and the Protection of Wrecks Act, and if necessary through new measures; welcomes Government moves to press for international laws to safeguard the graves of our naval heroes; and calls for the establishment of an exclusion zone around naval war graves for a minimum of 100 years from the time of loss.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

NAVAL WAR GRAVES (182A1)
The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Patrick Nicholls (primary, Conservative) and tabled on Thursday, 18 January 2001. It has been signed by 1 members in total.
leave out from "divers;" to end and insert "believes that naval war graves of all nations should be afforded greater protection and notes that the Protection of Military Remains Act and the Protection of Wrecks Act will offer protection to such sites in UK waters and only limited protection in international waters; notes that UNESCO's 'Draft Convention of Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage' will only protect wrecks of 100 years or more; recognises that with regard to naval war graves in distant waters the best protection will be afforded by using existing legislation namely schedule 11 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 which gives effect the Salvage Convention; notes that this allows for the prosecution of plunderers of wrecks; and calls upon the Government to take action based on expert advice to ensure that the final resting places of so many are adequately protected.".

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
182 
182A1 
Session
2000-01
Subjects
Protection Navy Wrecks War graves
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk