Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to protect historic shipwrecks in South East Asia belonging to the UK from illegal salvage.

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. We strongly condemn any desecration of any maritime military grave. Where we have evidence of desecration of our historic shipwrecks we will take appropriate action, including working with regional Governments and partners to prevent inappropriate activity at such sites.