§ Mr. Cleggasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what financial help he has given to the Institute of Geological Sciences for making geological investigations of the Continental Shelf round the United Kingdom;
(2) when he expects the Institute of Geological Sciences to begin geological investigation of the Continental Shelf other than an airborne geophysical survey.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsIn 1967 the Natural Environment Research Council authorised its Institute of Geological Sciences to commence a complete geological survey of the Continental Shelf surrounding the United Kingdom. A start was made and is being intensified as staff now being recruited becomes available. Expenditure in 1966–67 was£12,000, in the current year it is expected to be£30,000 and to increase still further in future years.
§ Mr. Cleggasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he 37W expects the airborne geological survey of the Continental Shelf being carried out by the Institute of Geological Sciences will be completed.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThis is a continuing operation but the Institute of Geological Sciences already holds aero magnetic information covering 90 per cent. of that part of the Continental Shelf which extends around the United Kingdom to a depth of 100 fathoms. The Institute is at present considering the best methods of extending the magnetic survey to cover the remaining areas of the Shelf and some magnetic measurements will be made from ships during the next twelve months.