Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 December 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 December 1999. It was answered by Lord Howarth of Newport (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 1999 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on the management of the archaeological site of the shipwreck `Amsterdam'. - Inc ref to Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the management of the archaeological site of the shipwreck Amsterdam. [103036] Mr. Alan Howarth: The wreck site of the Amsterdam was one of the first sites to be afforded legal protection under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. Designation of a wreck site under the provisions of this Act makes it an offence for anyone to tamper with, damage or remove any part of a vessel without the authority of a licence granted by the Secretary of State. Recently concerns have been voiced over the state of steel girders left over the site following licensed archaeological excavations in the 1980s. I am pleased to be able to report that these girders were removed in October this year.

Secondary information