§ 38. Mr. MacKENZIE LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider the desirability of arranging, by a commission or otherwise, for a complete geophysical survey of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, in order that the mineral resources of those regions may be scientifically explored?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Major Elliot)I am advised that geophysical methods of exploration for minerals are at present largely in the experimental stage. His Majesty's Geological Survey have recently undertaken a series of tests, which are still in progress, to determine the value of the gravitational method in detecting geological structures. In addition, under a scheme financed by the Empire Marketing Board and the Australian Government, experimental geophysical investigations are about to begin in Australia. It. is considered inadvisable at present to undertake a large and costly survey on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.