§ Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for Transport what response his Department has received to the consultative document "Proposals for Legislation on Marine Wrecks"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellI am grateful for the many helpful comments we have received from nautical archaeologists, divers, museums, local authorities, and other interested organisations and individuals. There has been general support for the proposals to update the existing legislation and streamline the arrangements for disposing of unclaimed wreck. I therefore intend to proceed on this basis, with some minor modifications. However, some respondents have expressed concern about the additional pressure these new procedures could impose on the arrangements for protection historic wreck. I am considering their suggestions on how these arrangements could be improved.