HL Deb 12 May 1975 vol 360 cc530-1

2.55 p.m.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My 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 courses are available in marine biology and at which universities can degrees be obtained in this subject.

The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION and SCIENCE (Lord Crowther-Hunt)

My Lords, I understand that undergraduate courses leading to a first degree in marine biology are offered at the Universities of Heriot-Watt and Liverpool. Courses in zoology with marine zoology and in botany with marine botany are provided at the University College of North Wales, Bangor. A postgraduate course leading to a master's degree is also available at Bangor. Fourteen other universities or university colleges provide courses in marine biology as part of first degree courses.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that Answer, which I am sure will be of great interest to our fish farming industry, which is a growth industry, may I ask him to consider asking the educational authorities at these establishments to get in touch with their opposite numbers in the EEC, so that information and possibly personnel may be exchanged between the skilled people in this subject among ourselves and the EEC?

Lord CROWTHER-HUNT

My Lords, as your Lordships will know, universities are of course independent self-governing institutions. They will no doubt take note of what the noble Baroness has said, but I cannot really give an assurance that the contacts she has asked should take place will necessarily take place.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, I fully understand that the noble Lord cannot give an assurance. I simply wanted sonic encouragement from the authorities to do this.

Lord WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that, at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, they have maintained a marine biological station for many years and that this is an integral part of the university? Is he further aware that the professor of zoology is named as the director of the marine biological station and that, as well as research facilities, a full course is given in marine biology? Can my noble friend tell me whether the Plymouth marine biological research station is associated in any way with any university in this country?

Lord CROWTHER-HUNT

My Lords, I am delighted to have the information which my noble friend produced in the first part of that supplementary question. I welcome it very much. Newcastle was on my list as one of the universities which made a contribution in this field. The answer to the last part of his supplementary question is that I do not know, but I will write to my noble friend.

Lord BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, would the Government encourage a graduate course in marine biology at one of the universities in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen, because from the list he gave there is nothing in Scotland?

Lord CROWTHER-HUNT

My Lords, as will be clear to the House, one university in Scotland was certainly mentioned, and, in addition, I know that a good deal of work also goes on at the University of Glasgow.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, are there any agricultural colleges in England, other than the one in Hampshire which will be starting courses in fish farming?

Lord CROWTHER-HUNT

My Lords, that is a slightly different question.