AERIAL SURVEYS (MINERALS) (Hansard, 25 May 1954)

§ 8. Sir H. Roper
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will arrange for an aeromagnetic survey to be made for the west of England.

§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. J. R. Bevins)
The Geological Survey is examining the possibility of carrying out an aeromagnetic survey of Great Britain to assist in its exploratory work on mineral resources.

§ Sir H. Roper
Will my hon. Friend impress upon the Lord President of the Council that it is important that this survey should be carried out and that it is unlikely that it will be carried out by private enterprise unless much more can be done in the sphere of taxation to encourage enterprise in the mining industry?

§ Mr. Bevins
Yes, Sir. I can say, as I have said before, that this matter is now being re-examined and my noble Friend expects that it will be put in hand as soon as financial resources allow.

§ Mr. Ellis Smith
Having asked a similar Question on two occasions in the past and having received similar answers, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he will see that this matter is now treated as one of extreme urgency? Is it not a fact that one country in the world has almost a monopoly of a certain metal which is increasingly needed in this kind of work? Is it not, therefore, urgent that this survey should be carried out?

§ Mr. Bevins
I will certainly convey that expression of opinion to my noble Friend.

§ 9. Sir H. Roper
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will carry out an aerial survey of the West of England for the detection of possible deposits of uranium.

§ Mr. Bevins
Aerial surveys for the detection of radioactivity were carried out 183 in the West of England by the Geological Survey and the Atomic Energy Research Establishment in 1949, while equipment intended for use overseas was being tested: but experience has shown that this technique is of value only under special geological and topographical conditions which are not found in Great Britain.