§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will state the purpose of the departmental mission being sent to Bangladesh under the leadership of Mr. Wilmshurst, indicating the date it is to be there, the names, affiliations and professional qualifications of those who are taking part from outside the Government service, the reasons for their inclusion in this mission and the total estimated cost to public funds.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThis is a reconnaissance mission which is due to arrive in Bangladesh on 16th May and to stay for two to three weeks. The composition of the mission is designed to provide a wide spread of expertise which will enable it: (a) to review the current gas development situation with the Bangladesh authorities concerned; (b) to assist the authorities develop an outline plan for the development of the Bangladesh gas industry; (c) to make specific proposals for a phased programme of United Kingdom participation in the more detailed planning and management of the industry.
The mission will be led by Mr. J. B. Wilmshurst, BA (Econ), a senior economic adviser in the Ministry of Overseas Development, and will include:
Mr. J. Bruce-Blanche, MSc DIC FGS, Senior Geologist, British National Oil Corporation.Mr. V. W. E. Burgess BSc (Applied Physics), Senior Reservoir Engineer, British National Oil Corporation.Mr. D. J. Snell, F.I. Gas E., FI.MechE, Senior Consultant Engineer (Transmission), British Gas Corporation.Mr. M. H. Rowson, BSc, AGGI, C.Eng., MI,Chem.E., Petrochemical Engineer, Trichem Consultants Ltd.Mr. R. Wharton, BSc (Econ), Certificate of Advanced Studies in Operational Research, Industrial Economist, Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co.The estimated cost of the visit—and subsequent report preparation in the United Kingdom—to public funds is £54,000.