Wreck legislation

[jackadam]

Tessa has had a busy weekend. I had a similar response via Tony Blair.
The wording is exactly the same as the Ducks - with the exception of the paragraph highlighted in bold and italics which was ommitted from my letter

"As part of the original 2004 DCMS consultation on the protection of the marine historic environment, the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSCA), Sub-Aqua Association (SAA) and Professional Association of Diving Instructors International (PADI) were invited to participate in consultation seminars. Licensees, and sports and salvage divers were also invited to attend. BSAC, SAA and PADI attended the seminars and officially responded during the consultation. Their responses were reflected in the summary of the consultation responses, Protecting or Marine Historic Environment – Making the System Work Better, published in July 2005.

The Marine Historic Environment Working Groups were set up in November 2005 to develop recommendations following the consultation exercise. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has aimed to ensure that all aspects of the marine historic environment are reflected in the make-up of the working groups, whilst maintaining a workable size group. BSAC, SAA and PADI are all members of the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee (JNAPC), the umbrella group whose membership spans archaeological bodies, diving organisations and other bodies with responsibilities for underwater cultural heritage. The JNAPC is represented on the Marine Historic Environment Review Salvage and Reporting Working Group.

In addition to representation through the JNAPC, a number of members of the working groups are members of BSAC or the Association of Diving Contractors. We expect there individuals to bring the full range of their experience to bear when contributing to the work of the group.

The working groups have not yet made their final recommendations but I can assure Mr Duckworth that there are no proposals to designate all wrecks over 50 years old or to recommend any blanket bans on diving or salvage. The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 is Ministry of Defence legislation and is not under consideration by the working groups.

The working groups are only one part of the consultation process on the future protection of the marine historic environment and they are no the final stage. There will be further opportunities for consultation on any recommendations or proposals arising from the Review.

In this context, in November 2005 I met with representatives of the JNAPC to discuss, among other things, progress on the Marine Historic Environment Review. My officials are also meeting with BSAC, and other diving organisations that wish to attend, to discuss the progress of the Marine Review and other working groups.".

[The Duck]

Could be a standard letter that someone drafted and then modified to try to make it look different?

Hmm - I wonder what gave me that idea?

[jackadam]

Sorry should have said earlier - incoming green to the Duck, cos I have been dreading having to type or even paraphrase the letter I received.

Having received my reply, it still seems that our Diving Organisations have had their say and the Jury is out.

[Jen]

Thank you for your email. Siôn has asked his parliamentary office to deal with this matter. As soon as a response is received from the relevant minister, you will be contacted. This may take a short while.


Anita Ward
Sec to Siôn Simon MP


Not the most promising of replies but it is great to see that Anita has found a life after Disco..

You can ring my bell ell ell ring my bell
My bell, ding dong, ding dong

[Hazel W]

it is great to see that Anita has found a life after Disco..

You can ring my bell ell ell ring my bell
My bell, ding dong, ding dong

PMSl
green incomming