§ 62. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what survey work his Department have carried out on the Indian Ocean Island of Aldabra.
§ Mr. MellishFollowing an aerial survey of the island a preliminary visit was made in 1962. The information then gained was supplemented by further visits in 1966 and 1967 by senior Ministry officials with experience of airfield and marine engineering.
§ 63. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what estimate he has made of the volume of rock required for projected work on the Indian Ocean Atoll of Aldabra; what is the approximate cost of quarrying; and what acreage of ground will be despoiled by the removal of such rock.
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§ Mr. MellishThe construction of berthing facilities in the East Channel would require the excavation of about 3½ million cubic yards of coral, which would be used in the construction of the airfield and associated facilities. The cost of excavation cannot at present be estimated as a separate item. Large-scale quarrying on land would not be necessary.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what estimate his Department have made of the cost of a dam, 600 yards long and at least 40 feet deep, necessary to create an anchorage for 20,000 ton tankers at Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean.
§ Mr. MellishNone. No such dam will be necessary.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many borings his Department has done to test bedrock during the Aldabra expedition of 1966 and 1967; and at what level soft rock has been reached.
§ Mr. Mellish19 borings were made during a survey conducted in 1962 and 2 pits were opened by blasting in 1967. The surface coral is hardened by weathering. Below it is generally softer, but with some harder layers.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what research he has done into the properties of Aldabra coral rock, in relation to its use for road material.
§ Mr. MellishSamples of coral rock have been brought back from the island and tested in my Department's laboratories. My Department is satisfied that the rock is suitable for road making.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what study he has made of the problems facing 20,000 ton tankers navigating the 150 yards wide channel at Aldabra.
§ Mr. MellishMy Department has been in touch with leading tanker operators who have said that they would be prepared to operate 20,000 ton tankers in the East Channel, which would be widened to give access to the proposed berthing facilities.