HC Deb 19 March 1963 vol 674 cc178-9
2. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what contribution the United Kingdom is making to the International Quiet Sun Year programme.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

A co-ordinated programme of research has been arranged by the Royal Society's British National Committee for Co-operation in Geophysics, and comprises work at Government research establishments, work at Halley Bay, Antarctica, and work at universities.

Mr. Skeffington

May we have some assurance from the Minister that the results of this work will be co-ordinated and used rather better than appears to have been the case with some of the findings from the International Geophysical Year—as a result of which there seems to be a great deal of data which is not being used for any purpose, so far as can be ascertained?

Mr. Freeth

That is our earnest hope.

Mr. Hector Hughes

On a point of order. In reference to Question No. 1, if you objected to the adjectives I used, Mr. Speaker, you should surely have allowed me to ask my supplementary question without the use of adjectives.

Mr. Speaker

I hope that the hon. and learned Member will be kind enough to realise that I am under considerable pressure from the House to ensure that more Questions are answered. That means that all of us, or many of us—myself included—will have to change our habits.