Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke, recently had the opportunity to visit one of only two British World War One battleships, the M33, which Hampshire County Council bought in 1990. The County Council and the National Museum of the Royal Navy are working in partnership to restore this historic ship and open her up to the public to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign in 2015, where she saw active service. The M33 ship is berthed in a dry dock in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Maria was particularly interested in the ship because, as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, she is overseeing the preparations for the four year UK-wide programme to commemorate the centenary of World War One, starting in 2014.

Having toured the ship and heard about its history, Maria said: “I was delighted to be able to visit the M33, and applaud Hampshire County Council and The National Museum of the Royal Navy for the great work that they are doing together to conserve and restore this important historic ship.”

Maria added: “The First World War had a huge impact on our country, and every part of Britain – including Basingstoke - has a story to tell. For example, Bramley Camp was used as a munitions depot and Prisoner of War Camp during the War, and Park Prewett Hospital was used as a military hospital by the Canadians.”

Photograph shows Maria in front of the M33, with Cllr Keith Chapman and Dominic Tweddle, Director General of the Museum of the Royal Navy.