§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government and private British resources have been allocated to nodule mining in recent years; and to which sea bed area the main British activity has been directed.
§ Mr. ChatawayMy Department and the Institute of Geological Sciences are 49W taking an active interest in this promising source of raw materials but no Government resources have yet been allocated to it. I am aware that private companies are also interested; this is a matter of commercial confidence for the companies concerned.