Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps with international counterparts to classify wrecks of warships as war graves.

The term “war graves” is one which only applies to the final resting places of fallen troops on land, and locations can only be designated as a war grave by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

However, as a matter of customary international law, all naval warships, state vessels and associated artefacts are afforded protection through the principle of Sovereign Immunity. The UK is of the view that, unless expressly relinquished or abandoned by the Flag State, the Sovereign Immunity of the wreck of any Crown vessel remains in place, regardless of where the wreck in question is located, and those who lost their lives in service of our country should be left in situ and undisturbed.

Some warships are also afforded additional protection under the Protection of Military Remains Act (PMRA). Vessels of historical significance, at risk of salvage and that are the last resting place of our service personnel are considered for inclusion.