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HMS Sussex

Volume 457: debated on Wednesday 7 March 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the Government’s policy is on the wreckage of the ‘Sussex’ lying off the coast of Gibraltar since 1694; (124917)

(2) what progress has been made in salvaging the wreck of the ‘Sussex’ which sank in 1694 off the coast of Gibraltar.

Given that the excavation involves what is believed to be a Royal Navy shipwreck, the Ministry of Defence has retained ownership of the project and is closely monitoring its progress. Some preliminary work has been conducted at the site including a survey of the area. Operations are currently suspended pending the resolution of certain outstanding heritage issues between Odyssey Marine Exploration and the Spanish authorities.