HC Deb 08 February 1904 vol 129 cc589-90
MR. FIELD

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that the rock survey of England is completed and the soil or drift survey is now being carried on to completion on six-inch maps kept in the Geological Survey Office, he will state whether in Ireland the rock survey is finished and whether the drift or soil survey is being carried on; and whether he will consider the advisability of transfer-ling the work of the Geological Survey of Ireland to the Department of Agriculture in Ireland, and of publishing maps in the annual reports showing the progress made.

* THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD oF EDUCATION (Sir WILLIAM ANSON,) Oxford University

The survey of the solid geology of England has not been completed, but together with the drift survey is being carried on on the basis of six inches to the mile on maps published since the primary geolo-gica I survey was undertaken. The survey of the solid geology of Ireland was completed in 1837, and has been revised as materials became available. The drift survey, which must not be confused with a soil survey, continues to be carried on. The Board are considering the future relations of the work of the Geological Survey in Ireland to the allied economic inquiries conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, and hope shortly to be in a position to communicate with that Department on the subject. Maps showing the progress made are published with the Report of 1902; details of the progress are there given in the text. Fuller details are being prepared for the maps in the forthcoming Report.