§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what recent representations he has had from the Construction Industry Research and Information Association on the subject of the marine sciences and related technological development.
§ Mr. FowlerThe Construction Industry Research and Information Association (C.I.R.I.A.) held a meeting late last year which was attended by representatives of many industrial firms and Government Organisations interested in underwater activities. As a result C.I.R.I.A. set up a small working party with industry and Government representatives to look into the requirements of industry in the field of underwater engineering, and intends to establish an Underwater Engineering Group within C.I.R.I.A. C.I.R.I.A. has also proposed that the Ministry of Technology should support a detailed study of these requirements to establish what items of marine equipment will be needed by industry in the short and long term for research and development. This proposal is being given sympathetic consideration by the Ministry of Technology.