§ Mr. Beanasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has now considered the Report of the Committee on Wreck.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisI have carefully considered the recommendations of the Committee on Wreck but consider that it is premature to enact a change in the law at present. In making that decision I took into account the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 which was enacted during the life of the Committee. That Act provides for the designation of the sites of wrecks or their contents or former contents which are of historical, archaeological or artistic importance. To assist the implementation of this Act an advisory committee was set up under the chairmanship of Lord Runciman of Doxford. This was an interim piece of 709W legislation, but it has been working effectively and a further period should be allowed for experience to be gained. Similarly, a proposal by the Committee on Wreck to set up a statutory authority should not be proceeded with until a clearer need has been established. Nevertheless the proposals in the Report will provide useful material as and when the need for a substantial change in the law is considered to be justified and I would wish to thank the members of the Committee for the work which they have undertaken.