Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Faulkner of Worcester (Labour). It was answered by Baroness Crawley (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 December 2006.

Shipping: Naval Wrecks

Question: What steps they are taking to protect the wrecks of HMS ““Prince of Wales”” and HMS ““Repulse”” from the activities of foreign nationals undertaking penetration dives and disturbing the human remains which lie there.

Answer: My Lords, the wrecks of HMS ““Prince of Wales”” and HMS ““Repulse””, which lie in international waters off the coast of Malaysia, are designated as protected places under the United Kingdom’s Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. However, the Act applies only to British citizens and British flagged vessels. Her Majesty’s Government therefore continue to work closely with regional Governments, diving groups and others to prevent inappropriate activity on the wreck sites by foreign nationals.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 687 c1151
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: Lead
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Protection Warships War graves HMS Repulse HMS Prince of Wales (wreck)
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk