HC Deb 08 April 1971 vol 815 cc656-7
5. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the rôle of the Royal Navy in the British Civil Marine Science Programme.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Peter Kirk)

The British civil marine science programme is co-ordinated by the Natural Environment Research Council and falls, therefore, within the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. The Hydrographer of the Navy and the Royal Naval Scientific Service co-operate with the Council at every level of its activities.

Mr. Dalyell

Those of us concerned about the legitimate career aspirations of naval personnel are aware of the considerable expertise that resides in a naval establishment such as Alverstoke. Does the hon. Gentleman not feel that the Admiralty, with the experience of the Hydrographer behind it, is not the best agency to run a co-ordinated programme?

Mr. Kirk

I do not think it would be appropriate for the Naval Department to run the civil side of this programme but we do co-operate very fully in hydro-graphic surveys, oil pollution investigations and that sort of thing. I think that this is the best way of doing it.