§ Mr. Thorneasked the Lord President of the Council what amount of money the Government are spending on geology; whether he is employing a qualified geologist with a view of making a large geological survey; and whether he has studied the experiences of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics who have geological departments?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe main direction in which, so far as this country is concerned, public expenditure is incurred on geological investigation is in the establishments of the Geological Survey of Great Britain and the Museum of Practical Geology. Details will be found under Subheads D1–D6 of the Vote for the D.S.I.R. In the current year the total is £77,542 and this provides for a staff of 56 fully qualified geologists with ancillary staff. The survey has been in existence for more than 100 years and occupies an outstanding position among similar organisations throughout the world. The staff have always made it their business to keep abreast of developments in other countries including of course the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. Separate organisations are maintained in India and in many of the Colonies and Protectorates.