§ 46. Mr. Donnerasked the Lord President of the Council whether his attention has been drawn to the recommendation contained in the Report of the Committee on Radio and Cosmic Ray Research, that the possibility of installing an ionospheric station in Graham Land should be explored by the United Kingdom authorities; whether such investigation has been carried out; and with what result.
§ The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)Yes, Sir, With a view to exploring the ionospheric conditions of the southern hemisphere the D.S.I.R. established an ionospheric station in the Falkland Islands in the middle of 1947. The officer in charge of the station, in company with the Governor of the Falkland Islands, selected a suitable site for a station in Graham Land. The recommendation of the Committee on Radio and Cosmic Ray Research now stands referred for approval to the appropriate Radio Committee of the D.S.I.R. The Department has meanwhile taken some steps towards establishing a station in Graham Land as soon as staff and equipment can be sent there.
§ Mr. DonnerIn view of that answer, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Foreign Secretary to make quite sure that Graham Land will not be occupied by the Argentine or Chile, as were other Falkland Island Dependencies as a result of the failure of the Government to protect them?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe reply I have given has been made after consultation with the Foreign Office.