Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to (a) monitor designated and non-designated military wrecks and (b) facilitate the prosecution of those accused of the illegal salvage of such wrecks.

Where we are able to offer legal protection to military wrecks by means of asserting Sovereign Immunity or by designation under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 we will continue to do so. However, given the vast number of Royal Navy wrecks around the world, there are limitations on what can be achieved with regard to protection, but where we have definitive evidence of desecration of these sites, we will take appropriate action.

We are also pursuing the wider education of sea-users as a long term measure. Protection can be delivered through information to and education of those who might wish to disturb the wrecks. As an example of how this can be effective, the Royal Malaysian Navy has foiled an attempt to loot historic wrecks after receiving information of suspicious activity from the Pahang Fishermen's Association. In that way, through local engagement with the Malaysian authorities and others, we endeavour to protect such military maritime graves now and in the future.