§ 19. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total expenditure, incurred by the organisations and councils for which he is responsible on oceanography and on oceanographic research in 1968; how much of this was spent on pure research, and how much on applied research and technologies which will give a return on the moneys allocated to this purpose; and what will be the amount and nature of the expenditure in the current year.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe total expenditure incurred by the Natural Environment Research Council on Oceanography and Marine Science for the year 1967–68 was £1,902,000. Estimated expenditure for 1968–69 is £2,320,000.
There is no clear-cut distinction between pure and applied science in this field. The council encourages studies of the sea and its resources, many of which are proving of considerable practical and economic significance.
§ Mr. OsbornIs the hon. Lady satisfied that, to use the Secretary of State's phrase at Brighton, the projects are being chosen "carefully and professionally" and that, in particular, attention is being paid to work on the Continental Shelf and the pursuit of minerals, oils and gases near our shores, if not further away?
§ Mrs. WilliamsI trust that no Minister is ever completely satisfied, but a good deal of time is being spent surveying the Continental Shelf. It is hoped that this will be completed in 10 years, but the concentration will be on the most economical parts first. In particular, the studies done in Cardigan Bay, the southern Irish Sea and the southern Hebrides area are proving extremely valuable and suggest that there will be real commercial returns from hydrocarbons in those areas.