§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry what specific further steps 47W have been taken to assist Oil Recovery International, of Christchurch, Dorset, following the meeting between the managing director of Oil Recovery International, Lord Melchett, advisers from his Department, and the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington, on 11th May 1976, at which meeting the ocean-going potential and development of Oil Recovery International's oil-mop device was discussed.
§ Mr. CryerSince the meeting on 11th May 1976 at which development of the oil-mop ocean-going device was considered there has been continuing cooperation between the Department's Warren Spring Laboratory and, originally, Oil Mop (UK) Limited. Subsequently, this co-operation has been with Oil Recovery International. The company has been offered facilities aboard the laboratory's research vessel "Seaspring" for the purpose of testing the company's equipment at sea. Arrangements have recently been made for an officer from the laboratory to visit the company's premises for the purpose of conducting land-based evaluation tests on three of the company's machines. Discussions are in progress between the company and the National Research Development Corporation with a view to initiating a joint venture to extend the range of conditions in which the oil mop can be used.