§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the British Antarctic Survey ship Discovery has penetrators to test ways of burying nuclear waste in the seabed; and whether it is tasked to look for natural traps for hydrocarbons near the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. BrookeThe royal research ship Discovery does not have such penetrators on board and is not tasked as the hon. Member describes. While RRS Discovery's present cruise is in support of the British Antarctic survey, the vessel is part of the Natural Environment Research Council's research fleet and is not a BAS vessel.