§ 18. Mr. Hannanasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science the number of scientific staff employed by Nature Conservancy at the latest convenient date; and what proportion of these was employed in Scotland.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThe total number of scientific staff employed by the Nature Conservancy on 1st April, 1963, was 135, of whom about one-fifth were employed in Scotland.
§ Mr. HannanIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is not a single residential nature and field study centre in Scotland, although there are seven such centres south of the Border? Is he further aware that there is not one local nature reserve trust in Scotland, although every county in England has one? Will he consult his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on this matter to see if some improvement can be made?
§ Mr. FreethWe are dealing with the Nature Conservancy and I think that the hon. Member is confusing that with a number of voluntary bodies. The Nature Conservancy has 14 staff employed at the headquarters in Edinburgh, six at the Speyside Research Station, two employed on research on grey seals, and four on grouse and moorland ecology.
§ Sir C. OsborneIs not one-fifth in Scotland more than Scotland's fair share? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]