Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 20 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 28 March 2001. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 March 2001 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what recent representations he has received concerning the damage caused to wrecks by divers; what plans he has to introduce legislation controlling diving around wrecks. - Inc fact that no representations that Department has been able to identify and ref to a consultation document concerning the enactment of the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, copy in the Library.

Answer: Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what recent representations he has received concerning the damage caused to wrecks by divers; [155156] (2) what plans he has to introduce legislation controlling diving around wrecks; [155150] Mr. Hill: There have been no representations that my Department has been able to identify. My Department has no plans for legislation with regard to non-military wrecks. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence issued a consultation document on 14 February 2001 concerning the enactment of the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. A copy of the consultation document is in the Libraries of the House.

Secondary information