§ 39. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of geologists employed in Government service in the Colonies; how many of these are engaged in prospecting for radioactive ores or associated projects; and how many of these are employed in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
§ Mr. ProfumoOne hundred and eighty-two, of whom eight are employed in Northern Rhodesia and seven in Nyasaland. They are not usually engaged solely or primarily in prospecting for radioactive ores.
§ Mr. IrvingDoes this not confirm the view expressed by a contributor in The Times Colonial Review that this was a "man and boy" approach to exploration in the Colonies? As the view was also expressed that a similar effort as has been given in America, Canada or South Africa could produce a similar result, does this not indicate a terrible failure to exploit our colonial resources? To what extent are the mining licences given to business houses in other types of mining holding up this development?
§ Mr. ProfumoI do not think the development is being held up at all. I know the article to which the hon. Member refers, but I cannot agree with its conclusions. The situation in Canada is different from that obtaining in Africa, and I am confident, as is my right hon. Friend, that everything is being done in this important matter.
§ Mr. UsborneIf the news we hear of the Zeta rector is correct, is it not a fact that these radioactive ores for which we have lately been prospecting may in the near future be found not to be so very important?
§ Mr. ProfumoIn the case brought forward by the hon. Gentleman, I agree that this is a very important matter.
§ 40. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to encourage the training and recruitment of geologists for work in the Colonies in the locating of deposits of radioactive ore.
§ Mr. ProfumoTrained geologists are recruited from the universities for the Colonial Geological Survey Departments, which do this work. May I also draw the hon. Member's attention to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell)?
§ Mr. IrvingWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, in view of the shortage of geologists, may I ask what encouragement he proposes to give to the establishment of a department of geology in the University College of Nyasaland and Rhodesia?
§ Mr. ProfumoThat is another question. If the hon. Member puts it down, I will try to answer it.
§ 41. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to make use of the services of geologists on the staffs of British universities for research and tuition during their long vacation; and what encouragement he is giving to senior students to take on holiday employment in the Colonies.
§ Mr. ProfumoUniversity lecturers and senior students have where appropriate been given assistance and facilities for visiting Colonial Territories. My right hon. Friend's Geological Adviser keeps in close touch with the universities on these matters.
§ Mr. IrvingDoes not the fact that more students and full-time staff are engaged by the Geological Survey of Greenland than in all the Colonies we control indicate that not enough is being done? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that remunerative vacation employment can be 1242 got for students in Canada but not at all in Africa?
§ Mr. ProfumoI have answered the last point of the hon. Member's question in an earlier supplementary. The geological departments at Oxford and Bristol Universities have, for historical reasons, a special connection with Greenland.