§ 57. Mr. J. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the total cost to date of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition has been £40,000, of which sum the Government have only contributed £3,000; that £3,800 is required to complete its work; whether he is aware that the "Discovery" Expedition was given a Grant of £45,000, followed by a further Grant of £50,873; whether he is 29 aware that the Shackleton Expedition was given a Grant of £20,000; whether it is now proposed to give a Grant of £10,000 to another Shackleton Expedition for work similar to which the Government refuse a Grant to Dr. Bruce; and whether, in view of the fact that Scotland contributes a surplus revenue to the United Kingdom of approximately three millions a year, he can see his way to make this Grant of £3,800 to complete the work of an expedition which has enriched the Admiralty, the Meteorological Office, and the museums of the United Kingdom?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am aware of the facts referred to by my hon. Friend. I cannot hold out any hope of a further Grant from public funds towards the cost of publishing the records of the Scottish Antarctic Expedition. When the Grant of £3,000 for this purpose was agreed upon in 1910, it was made clear to the parties concerned that no further Treasury contribution would be forthcoming.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that to-day the Secretary to the Treasury stated that £5,000 was to be put down for the purposes of scientific research, and would it not be very much better if the Government would complete the scientific research which has been accomplished by this expedition before they spend more money in encouraging other scientific expeditions?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe competition of these various scientific bodies is very keen.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the Prime Minister aware that the money for the Scottish expedition was subscribed publicly, while the money for all these other expeditions has been found either by the Government or by one individual, and why cannot Scotland have something?
§ The PRIME MINISTERScotland has always had a large share of the money granted for those purposes.