HC Deb 23 March 2000 vol 346 cc615-6W
Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) steps he has taken and (b) plans he has to tighten control of (i) unlicensed diving on war graves and (ii) pillaging of naval wrecks. [115705]

Dr. Moonie

My Department, together with others and Diving Associations, has been assisting with the development of a Code of Practice for diving on wrecks. It is hoped that this code will be introduced shortly. Following its introduction, the impact of this code will be assessed. I am able to report that the Ministry of Defence Police have recently charged a man with theft from a war grave and this case is proceeding through the courts. We will take action through the courts wherever appropriate.

Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) name and (b) location of the shipwreck war graves on which permission has been given to dive in the past 12 months. [115703]

Dr. Moonie

It is not necessary for divers to obtain permission from my Department in order to dive on wrecks.

Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) applications have been made to and (b) permissions have been given in the last 12 months by his Department to dive on undersea war graves (i) in the Dardanelles, (ii) off Singapore and (iii) elsewhere. [115702]

Dr. Moonie

It is not necessary for divers to obtain permission from my Department to dive on undersea war graves.