Written question asked by Patrick Nicholls (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 January 2001. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Thursday, 25 January 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what external legal advice he is taking on measures available in international law to protect the sites of maritime graves; and if he will make a statement. - Inc refs to 1 November 2000, 355 c243-50WH and 23 January 2001, 361 c535-6W.

Answer: Mr. Nicholls: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what external legal advice he is taking on measures available in international law to protect the sites of maritime graves; and if he will make a statement. [146442] Dr. Moonie: From time to time my officials meet with academics and other experts in international Maritime Law. Most recently they have had discussions with Mr. Mike Williams, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Wolverhampton, Nick Gaskell, Professor of Maritime and Commercial Law, University of Southampton and Dr. Sarah Dromgoole, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Leicester. The international and domestic aspects of the protection of military remains and the law of salvage were discussed on both occasions. These discussions form part of the wider consultation process that I referred to during the Adjournment Debate, on 1 November 2000, Official Report, columns 243-50WH. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Mr. MacKinlay) on 23 January 2001, Official Report, columns 535-36W.

Secondary information