§ Lord Hardy of Wathasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made in offering protection to military maritime graves. [HL5583]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)I refer my noble friend to the answer given on 9 November 2001 by my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Moonie) (Official Report, col. 435W) to the honourable Member for Hendon (Mr Dismore) in another place. A statutory instrument (SI) was made on 9 July 2002 which prohibits intrusive activity without licence on 11 vessels: HMS Bulwark, HMS Dasher, HMS Formidable, HMS Hampshire, HMS Natal, HMS A7, HMS Vanguard, HMS Affray, HMS Exmouth, HMS Royal Oak and H5, and in addition the U-boat U12, as representative of all U-boats lost in United Kingdom territorial waters. The SI prohibits intrusive activity without licence by UK nationals on a further five vessels. HMS Hood, HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Repulse, HMS Gloucester and RFA Sir Galahad which lie in international waters. These regulations come into force on 30 September 2002.