§ Mr. Batsfordasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the latest underwater find of an historic treasure ship, the Dutch East Indiaman, "Hollandia", does not become the scene of disorder and unlawful acts, as happened in the case of other recently discovered historic wrecks, and particularly in the case of the yacht, "Mary", where gunshots were fired over the site.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe statutory powers conferred on the Department and Receivers of Wreck under Part IX of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, do not include power to intervene in private disputes or to prevent disorder in the case of long-abandoned vessels lying "in situ" on the seabed. In appropriate cases however a salvor may obtain protection from the courts against interference by others with salvage operations on which he is engaged.
Assaults or other violent acts in territorial waters may constitute offences under the ordinary criminal law and be the subject of prosecution, and I understand that this has been done in the case of the wreck believed to be that of the "Hollandia".