The following letter was received by RINA Headquarters:
Mr Sid Anning
12th October 2008
Fao Dr Robert Prescott & Members of the Advisory Committee
National Historic Ships
Dear Dr Prescott, and Members of the Advisory Committee,
HERITAGE PROTECTION BILL
I believe that the biggest single issue that faces Historic Ships at the moment is that DCMS have deliberately omitted Historic Ships from the Heritage Protection Bill. I am trying to ascertain who was responsible for this happening as I think it's important before anyone makes a challenge to Parliament over it.
My belief is that English Heritage, (with the possible collusion of the Museums) have had a hand in the making of the Bill, as they have resisted every application for H.S. to be placed on an equal footing as Buildings; both monetary as well as with protection.
As indeed Rear Admiral Hervey stated in 1997 (see enclosed), that little has changed since then:
"One thing is clear. As long as successive Governments are going to give such low priority to saving ships, we will not save anything new, because the Minister's advisors mostly come from organisations already desperately short of resources, for something which they are already saving themselves. Anything new is bound to be seen as a threat, unless it brings its own upkeep money with it. And they will advise, with the thought in mind, that none of them could cope with another loss maker.
My point exactly, and therefore has anything changed since this was written; sadly no.
Despite two enquiries into H.S. both of which I attended, most of the recommendations of the two committees have been ignored, particularly on funding, as indeed Lord Davies's ridiculous reply to Lord Clement-Jones indicates when he states:
"The Government does not provide direct financial support for the acquisition, conservation, or movement of Historic Ships, other than through the provision of grant-in-aid to those museums which hold vessels of historic significance in their collections that are funded by DCMS."
I have been hearing that same statement by Government now for over a decade when I started the Campaign to save HMS Cavalier with John Hervey; isn't it time therefore, that you the Committee, started to do something about this totally inadequate situation whereby every other aspect of our Heritage is properly funded and protected, but not Historic Ships who have to go cap in hand to the Lottery.
John Hervey offered a solution to Historic Ship funding then, and I do believe that this matter should be revisited, and reconsidered.
There is little or no point calling themselves English Heritage, or indeed, Department for Culture, when a major part of our Heritage and our Culture has been totally ignored and misrepresented by these two bodies.
So where do we go from here? My view is that unless Historic Ships gets proper protection, then it makes National Historic Ships Unit and the Registers superfluous and meaningless as indeed John Hervey iterated:
"There does not seem much point in the NHSC making an ever bigger list, if Government is never going to spend anything on any ships being listed! If it ever does intend to spend anything on saving ships, now is the time to start".
Without that protection within the Bill, NHS will not have the powers to stop anything from being scrapped or even suspended, and will make the NHS nothing more than a talking shop with literally no powers at all, and no money to do anything else.
But I believe there comes a time in every campaign that we have to take up the challenge and face this matter head on as we did with Cavalier all those years ago, with the belief that Government has no intention of changing anything, and will continue to show succour to English Heritage and the Museums.
If you cannot secure equal status for Historic Ships diplomatically which it looks like, then I believe, there is a necessity for NHS to go public with a statement to the press, and with a signed Letter to both Houses of Parliament demanding Historic Ships are included within the Bill.
My view is thus, that if those upon the Committee are not prepared to do that, then I can only wonder why they remain upon the Committee. You represent us - Historic Ships supporters and owners, and therefore have a duty to see that this disgraceful matter is dealt with - and soon, and before any other Historic Ships visit the graveyard.
For the Bill to go through Parliament and to be accepted in its current format is totally unacceptable, and if that happens, then I think that National Historic Ships should consider its position as a representative body.
Yours sincerely,
SID ANNING - Former Chair - HMS Cavalier Association and supporter of the MSRT - LST HMS Stalker.
Comment by Mr Anning
As yet, I have had not one reply from any of the members of the Advisory Committee - unsurprisingly when you read the following:
The following is DCMS's reply when I wrote to them in respect of Historic Ships not being considered for the Heritage Protection Bill:
"We recognise that there are unresolved issues with regard to ships on the National Register of Historic Vessels (NHRV) and are interested in entering dialogue with the Advisory Committee, National Historic Ships with a view to assessing the specific needs of these assets and examine what might be an appropriate and practicable regime for their protection".
"The regime set out by the draft Heritage Protection Bill is, however, not appropriate for the mobile assets on the NRHV, given that the regime is location specific and run by local planning authorities and English Heritage. We do not believe it would be practicable to de-list vessels every time they leave on location, and then embark on the process of provisionally listing, consulting relevant and interesting parties, and re-listing, at every port or harbour in which the vessel subsequently docks or moors".
The above in my view is sheer utter nonsense as the Vessel is protected, and not where its berthed. DCMS gone on further to say:
"As is currently the case, where historic ships are fixed in one location, either as ships fixed to land or lying wrecked on the sea bed, they will continue to be eligible for protection under the new heritage protection legislation, assuming that they are of sufficient special historic, archaeological, architectural or artistic interest".
"We hope that through discussion with National Historic Ships, we might be able to develop a solution that will safeguard the interests of the National Historic Fleet, in a practicable manner".
I have also received the enclosed from Martyn Heighton, Secretary NHS:
"On the Heritage protection front, I now have a list of the National Historic Fleet, ships which are in Dry Docks, on Slips etc, those which are permanently moored, and those presented indoors, to send to Mr Tim Parr as part of his campaign".
It's pretty self evident to me, that if you are one of the unfortunate owners that just happens to have a vessel afloat, then its highly unlikely that your vessel will not be protected, but meanwhile, and so it seems, that those mainly attached to Museums which do NOT need protection, will not only continue to be financed through grant-in-aid, but protected also, and to the detriment of the rest on the NRHV.
This is unfair, biased, and should in my view, be for the protection of ALL VESSELS upon the NHRV and not just the select and privileged few, but looks very much like to me, to be a 'done deal' on behalf of the NHS and DCMS; Most of which is being done without any dialogue or due consideration with the owners, particularly, those who have vessels afloat.
Whether you agree with this is not for me to say, but I believe its in everyone's interest to at least know about it, and if you believe this is unjust, then you should make your representations to the NHS about this matter. What should not happen however, is that the NHS should not dictate proceedings without consulting you, as I do not believe they have mandate to do that, as they are un-elected and unaccountable, but responsible to you..
SID ANNING
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