Written question asked by Bob Blackman (Conservative) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Calvin Bailey (Labour) on Friday, 11 September 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Wrecks: Merchant Shipping

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to comply with the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 and the principles established by the Court of Appeal in Fogg and Ledgard v Secretary of State for Defence [2006] EWCA Civ 1270, to ensure that qualifying wartime merchant vessels operating in military service are capable of receiving recognition and protection comparable to that afforded to SS Storaa.

Answer: Under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (PMRA), merchant vessels at the time of their loss, that were formally requestioned, utilised for armed forces purposes and operating under military command can be designated as either "Protected Places" or "Controlled Sites". Should the amendments to PMRA proposed in the Armed Forces Bill 2026, currently going through Parliament, be successful, merchant vessels in military service at the time of their loss located in UK territorial, and international waters will be automatically protected.

Secondary information