Whilst the McCann case is very sad, I am sure that the money would be better spent helping children in 3rd world countries live. As I have said before, there are children in South America for instance, going missing on the streets every day and probably subjected to some awful fate, but I don't see the pope granting special audiences to their parents or the worlds media creating a frenzy. And anyway, what exactly are they going to use the money for? I am sure that the authorities are doing everything that can be done.
As for the cutty sark, again it is sad that a piece of heritage has gone, but is anyone suggesting that we we recreate other things that have disappeared over time using tax payers money. I mean why don't we all pay extra tax and rebuild the Titanic - I am sure people would want to go and see it, but we have to accept that it is gone.
Donantions should be made to things which either save or enrich lives of people or animals and probably other things which i can't think of before someone suggests another worthy cause that I have forgotten.