§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the economic, scientific and other reasons for granting an additional £4 million to the British Antarctic Survey in 1983–84.
§ Mr. William SheltonThe British Antarctic Survey's present scientific programme is wide ranging, multidisciplinary, and focuses on problems which are unique to the Antarctic or which can best be studied in high latitudes. It includes much work which is of global significance or relates to potential mineral and marine living resources.
Increased funding will enable quicker progress to be made in the solving of the basic scientific problems. I understand that the survey intends to increase the emphasis on work related to resources. Particular areas for increased attention will include marine and terrestrial geophysics and geology—necessary for the appraisal of offshore hydrocarbon and terrestrial mineral potential—the marine ecosystem—linked with possible future exploitation of krill and fish—and climate and ice-sheet dynamics.
In addition to the benefits just described, the expanded programme, by increasing the British contribution to the total international research effort in Antarctica, will increase the United Kingdom's standing in the area.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, followng his decision to provide an additonal £4 million for the British Antarctic Survey 1983–84, any decision has yet been taken about the level of funding for 1984–85.
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§ Mr. William SheltonI refer my hon. Friend to my answer of today to his question addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs about the total sums allocated for scientific research in Antarctica.