To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the alleged secret salvaging by China of the HMS Poseidon submarine lost in a peacetime accident in 1931; what information he has received on the disposal of human remains allegedly recovered by China; what contact his Department has had with the families of the crew members who died; and what representations he proposes to make on the subject to the Chinese government. (281405)

[holding answer 22 June 2009]: We are aware of reports that the submarine HMS Poseidon was salvaged in 1972. We have sought clarification from the Chinese authorities, and await their reply.