§ Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Materials if he will have a comprehensive investigation made of the mineral resources of the Highlands and Islands with a view to determining how far their exploitation is commercially possible.
§ Sir A. SalterNo. The evidence available on the mineral resources of the Scottish Highlands and Islands does not appear to justify the cost of a comprehensive survey. Nor do I know of any evidence as to any particular locality 25W which would prima facie suggest that the expenditure of public money on a local survey would be justified.