Written question asked by Andrew Dismore (Labour) on Thursday, 20 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 31 January 2005. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Monday, 31 January 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prevent historic wrecks of Royal Navy vessels being looted by treasure hunters; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to prevent historic wrecks of Royal Navy vessels being looted by treasure hunters; and if he will make a statement. [210912] Mr. Caplin: Under both United Kingdom and international law wrecked military aircraft and vessels remain the property of the state, regardless of their location and condition. Such ships have sovereign immunity from interference and the state may seek enforcement of this in an appropriate court. The Ministry of Defence uses the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 to afford protection from unwanted interference to RN vessels wrecked after 4 August 1914, where this is considered necessary and appropriate. To date, seventeen wrecks have been designated under the Act; more will follow as part of a rolling programme. Historic wrecks, including those of RN vessels, may also be designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. Such designations are however the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Devolved Administrations, depending on the individual wreck's location.

Secondary information