HC Deb 30 July 1957 vol 574 cc1042-3
13. Mr. Fort

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what expenditure has so far been incurred by Government Departments in connection with the Geophysical Year: and whether he will make an interim statement on what is being achieved.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Harmar Nicholls)

Expenditure by Government Departments directly attributable to the activities of the International Geophysical Year up to the end of the current financial year is estimated to be about £500,000. In addition, Departments are contributing to the programme of the Geophysical Year as part of their normal programmes of work. It is too early, as yet, to make any statement about the results being achieved.

Mr. Fort

Will the contributions from these two sources amount to the total of £650,000 which the Royal Society was undertaking to spend on behalf of the Government?

Mr. Nicholls

The only figure about which I can be specific is the £500,000, but financial contributions from other Departments are involved and, therefore. I cannot give my hon. Friend a clearer answer.