§ 42. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that London air survey companies can provide under contract at least 10 geodetic surveyors for service in the Colonial Empire or for replacement of surveyors now employed on government work in the United Kingdom who could then be released for the Colonies; and whether he will consider using their help.
Mr. Creech JonesI am prepared to consider any qualified surveyors who wish to seek employment in the Colonial Service. They would, however, have to be considered as individuals in accordance with the normal conditions of entry.
§ Mr. KeelingWould the Secretary of State like to modify the written answer which he gave on Monday that he could not understand how air survey firms could assist in the supply of surveyors for the Colonies? Is he aware that the two largest groups of air survey companies are British, and that, since the war, they have surveyed hundreds of thousands of square miles?
Mr. Creech JonesI think there is some misunderstanding. The personnel required here are ground surveyors, not air surveyors.
§ 43. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before trying to get Americans for geodetic survey work in the Colonies for three years, he made any attempt to find British surveyors who had retired from the Survey of India.
§ Mr. KeelingWould the Secretary of State like to correct another statement, which he made in the House last Wednesday, that American geologists, and I presume that applies also to geodesists, will 1998 be paid exactly the same rate of pay as British? May not the inadequate pay of British surveyors account for the fact that they are so scarce?
Mr. Creech JonesI cannot accept the last assumption. The arrangements with America have not yet been finalised.
§ Mr. KeelingWhat about the statement last Wednesday?
§ Mr. ErrollIf retired Indian surveyors now come forward, will the right hon. Gentleman consider them for this work?
§ Mr. PickthornCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the efforts which have been made to find experts in geodesy included an approach to the professors and teachers of geodesy at the universities, especially Cambridge?
Mr. Creech JonesI understand that representations have been made to the universities and also to the professional organisations.
§ 44. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total area to be surveyed in the Colonies during the next 10 years; and whether he is satisfied that the area covered by photography can also be mapped in the same period.
Mr. Creech JonesIn accordance with the original plans, 800,000 square miles. I am satisfied that all immediately urgent requirements are being met, and that any arrears will certainly be overtaken within the period mentioned.