The Ulster Unionist Party’s Economy Spokesperson, Alan Chambers MLA, has welcomed the launch of a campaign to ensure that a large collection of Titanic artefacts is returned to Belfast, where the famous ship was built.
Alan Chambers MLA said:
“The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes the efforts that are being made to ensure that a collection of 5,500 Titanic artefacts, currently in the USA, is returned to Belfast.
“The Titanic story is one that is synonymous with Belfast and the City’s proud industrial heritage.
“The Titanic Visitor Centre has been a tremendous asset and played a key role in increasing the number of tourists visiting Belfast, contributing tens of millions of pounds to the local economy. There could be no better location to display these artefacts which have been raised from the wreck of history’s most famous ship.
“I am happy to support the £15m bid which is being backed by Titanic Belfast, Royal Museums Greenwich, National Museums Northern Ireland and Titanic Foundation Limited.
“The bid also has the support of Dr Robert Ballard, the oceanographer who discovered the Titanic wreck, Oscar winning filmmaker James Cameron and National Geographic.”