§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) when he expects to receive the Report of the Committee on Wrecks;
(2) what funds he intends to make available for emergency archoeological recording of antiquities from historic wrecks;
(3) whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 to require the recording by his Department of the artefacts and coins recovered from marine wrecks before their disposal by sale or gift.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisOutstanding points in the report of the Committee on Wrecks have now been finalised and I shall shortly be considering its recommendations, which include such questions as the recording of antiquities and whether legislation is required to supplement the 457W Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. I shall make a statement in due course.