HC Deb 13 March 1969 vol 779 cc1545-6
18. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements he has made for mineral surveys on the Continental Shelf; and how much of the time of the "John Murray" is devoted to applied survey projects as against pure oceanographic research.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The Institute of Geological Sciences, a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council, is conducting surveys on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf to assess geological structures which may indicate mineral deposits.

The whole time of the Royal Research Ship "John Murray" is devoted to re- search all of which has practical significance.

Mr. Osborn

I welcomed the opportunity of visiting the "John Murray" at the oceanology exhibition at Brighton, but is the hon. Lady satisfied that the survey ships available to the Institute for oceanography are spending enough time on mission-orientated surveys with tangible medium-term and short-term benefits to this country?

Mrs. Williams

The hon. Gentleman's interest was much appreciated and we are grateful to him for visiting the ship. To give a precise answer, 80 per cent. of the time of this ship is spent specifically on geological boreholes and studies, as is a good deal of the time of chartered ships as well.

Mr. Dalyell

In view of the demands on the time and resources of the "John Murray", would it not be practical to leave some of the mineral surveying to the Navy, which would be glad to do it?

Mrs. Williams

That question is primarily for the Secretary of State for Defence, but a number of other ships have also been chartered for this purpose.