§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what the Natural Environment Research Council is doing to ensure that sophisticated equipment is available to research workers in the field of the marine sciences.
§ Mrs. Shirley Williams:Adequate funds have been made available by the Natural Environment Research Council for scientists in its own establishment and through grants to universities for the provision of the most advanced equipment for marine research. This applies particularly to the research vessels which are being provided with the most up to date scientific equipment available.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study he is making of the possible use of small, relatively cheap manned submarines for exploration of the sea; and what study he is making of the possibility of using feeder cables for such vessels.
§ Mrs. Shirley Williams:An intensive study is being made by the Natural Environment Research Council of the likely benefits in marine research which would result from the use of manned submarines. Scientists are by no means unanimous on this matter. A party of scientists sponsored by the Natural 388W Environment Research Council visited the U.S.A. this autumn to inspect that country's developments in this field. Whilst formal conclusions have not been reached it is clear that manned submarines capable of doing effective research will not be cheap. Even small ones must incorporate rigorous and extensive safety, manipulator, and navigation equipment, and must be capable of being handled and serviced by an effective support vessel. The question of the use of cables linked to a mother ship will not be overlooked.