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Written question asked by Clive Lewis (Labour) on Friday, 7 October 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 October 2016 (named day). It was answered by Harriett Baldwin (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 October 2016 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

HMS Warrior

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the value of artefacts illegally salvaged from the site of HMS Warrior since the discovery of the wreck in September 2016.

Answer

The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) has carried out the following investigations (taking “disturbances” to mean thefts or alleged thefts and not limited to shipwrecks) under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986:

YEAR

2010

1

2011

6

2012

1

2013

0

2014

0

2015

1

The MDP has not received any information related to the illegal salvage of material from HMS Warrior.

By invoking the principle of Sovereign Immunity, and by designating specific vessels under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 and the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, we endeavour to protect these important sites where we are able. Where we have definitive evidence of desecration of these sites, we will take appropriate action. However, it should be appreciated that, given the large number of Royal Navy wrecks around the world and the vast area they cover, there are limitations on what can be achieved with regard to protection.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
46980
Session
2016-17
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Wrecks Theft HMS Warrior
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk