§ 21. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will avail himself of the great advances recently made in the use of underwater photography and television techniques for the purpose of seabed surveys and of marine biological and oceanographical research, in order to have Loch Ness surveyed.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. John Maclay)No, Sir. The expensive equipment required for these techniques is supplied to my Department for research, primarily at sea, in connection with the commercial fisheries.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the Secretary of State realise that he owes an obligation to science in this matter, and that recent learned works have indicated that such a survey might reveal the existence in Loch Ness of a prehistoric or unique monster, fish or reptile, of some kind, the discovery of which might add considerably to science?
§ Mr. MaclayI am by no means satisfied that this somewhat "monstrous" suggestion would necessarily be in the best interests of the cause which, I think, the hon. and learned Member has in his mind.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs it not the case that the monster comes to the surface to save us this expense?
§ Mr. John MacLeodAs the aquatic abilities of the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) are well-known, could not the Minister persuade him to go and have a look for the monster himself?