§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Libary the letter of 31 March from the Minister for Aviation and Shipping to the hon. Member for Linlithgow regarding marine archaeology, ref. L/PSO/6890/93.
§ Mr. NorrisI have done so today.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his proposals for marine archaeology in relation to the current discussions on the special salvage convention 1990.
§ Mr. NorrisIt is our intention to ratify the 1989 salvage convention and to consult relevant bodies prior to ratification. The convention allows any state to reserve the right not to apply the convention when the property involved is maritime cultural property of prehistoric, archaeological or historic interest. At the conference that adopted the convention, we supported the view that material of this nature should be excluded from the scope of the convention. That remains our view.