The Government has confirmed that the sites of three ships sunk during the First World War, where 1,459 Chatham based sailors drowned, are under consideration for protection.
Local MP Rehman Chishti asked, on the floor of the House of Commons, for HMS Cressy, HMS Hogue and HMS Aboukir to be designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act.
These three ships were sunk on 22 September 1914 off the Dutch coast by enemy submarine action.
Rehman said: "As part of this year’s commemoration of the start of the First World War, it would be a fitting tribute for the Government to designate these wrecks under the Protection of Military Remains Act."
The Leader of the House, Rt Hon William Hague MP, confirmed that they have been included on a list compiled by Defence Ministers.
Mr Hague told Parliament that: "The Ministry of Defence is now considering which ships from a list of more than 5000 should be included in the next statutory instrument but I can confirm that the three he has just referred to are part of that consideration and I know that the Defence Secretary will note his strong support for their inclusion."
Rehman has also written to the Secretary of State for Defence, to urge him to include this three ships.