§ 45. Mr. Flemingasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he is aware that the Geological Survey Office is about to close down its Manchester branch; and whether the local users of the said branch were consulted before such a decision was arrived at?
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Earl Winterton)Yes, Sir. The Manchester branch of the Geological Survey was a temporary establishment to facilitate the revision, now virtually completed, of the maps of the Lancashire coalfield. Its immediate work being completed, the maintenance of the branch on its present basis cannot be justified. Representations have been received from local users, and these are being examined. The usefulness of the branch to them was, and is, fully appreciated, and arrangements by which the information acquired by the Survey would continue to be made available locally are still under consideration.
§ Mr. FlemingWill my Noble Friend consider the possibility of placing copies of those records in the local reference library for the use of the local people?
§ Earl WintertonIf my hon. Friend will be good enough to put down a question a little later, before the end of the Session, I shall be in a position to announce what the Lord President's decision is on this matter.
§ Mr. ChorltonIn view of the fact that the geological survey is so much behind, is it wise to close down this office? Ought it not to be incorporated in another survey?
§ Earl WintertonI do not think my hon. Friend quite appreciates the position. The work that this particular office does has been completed, and the personnel has been transferred elsewhere. With regard to the question of the information being made available, by Noble Friend is considering in what form it can be done.