§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDALMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what support is being given to the Imperial College of Science and Technology in the project "Kraken" to enable oceanographic research to be carried out in a permanent but movable underwater laboratory.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (LORD BESWICK)My Lords, no application for additional funds to support this project has been made.
§ LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDALMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. If application were made for funds to give support to this very important project, would the Government give assistance? In particular, if industry gave substantial support, would assistance be given, in view of the great importance of this project, which will enable our marine scientists to do underwater research which hitherto it has not been possible, either for them or for anybody else in the world, to do?
§ LORD BESWICKOf course, my Lords, underwater research is important, and we recognise it to be important. But very little is known about this particular project, and, unless an application is made and more is known about the project, I could not possibly give any undertaking.