§ Q2 Mr. Archerasked the Prime Minister whether he will now publish the findings of the Government's review on Oceanographic and Marine Science; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Prime Minister what are Her Majesty's Government's proposals regarding implementation in the North Sea and elsewhere of the Government's Review on Oceanographic and Marine Science.
§ The Prime MinisterI would ask my hon. Friends to await publication of the Report on Marine Science and Technology which is expected shortly.
§ Mr. ArcherI thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer. Can he give the House an assurance that the Government will continue to press at the United Nations for international control of the exploitation of ocean bed resources?
§ The Prime MinisterWe do feel that there is very real need for international co-operation in this matter. I do not think that the case is yet made out for international control, but my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will certainly be pursuing that matter. In the light of the report I have mentioned, I think that my hon. Friend will be able to form his own view on what the next step should be.
§ Mr. Hector HughesWill the Prime Minister have regard to the fact that this particular review is not merely a local affair but is of great interest to the whole of North-East Scotland, the trade, commerce and industry of which have been greatly neglected during the last few years?
§ The Prime MinisterI certainly agree with my hon. and learned Friend that this is certainly not a local affair.
§ Mr. Hugh FraserWill the Prime Minister explain to the House that the time has come for this Government to take some action on co-ordinating marine science and technology; not just reporting it, but doing something?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have gone much further in this matter of co-ordination than our predecessors. I ask the right hon. Gentleman to await the report.