To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the physical condition of the wrecks of (a) HMS Prince of Wales and (b) HMS Repulse.

The Department's Salvage and Maritime Operations organisation conducted a survey in March 2019 as part of its Wreck Management Programme. This showed significant damage to both ships, especially HMS REPULSE, likely caused by illegal salvage.

This issue has been raised with the Malaysian Government and we continue to work closely with the relevant authorities in the region to afford these sites suitable protection. The wrecks of HMS REPULSE and HMS PRINCE OF WALES are designated as protected places under the UK's Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.