§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps he is taking to involve universities in the work of the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment at Portland;
(2) if he will make a statement on his discussions with university authorities, Admiralty Underwater Establishment, Portland, and other Government and industrial laboratories, with a view to setting up a department and professorial chair of Ocean Science at Admiralty Underwater Establishment, Portland.
§ Mr. MasonClose liaison is maintained and research contracts are placed with those universities possessing departments with the necessary expertise. Discussions about the possibility of setting up a department and professorial chair of Ocean Science at a University are proceeding with interested authorities, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement. Although the Department of Education and Science are aware of the desire on the part of the Ministry of Defence to see the chair established they have not so far been informed of the present round of discussions. This will be done at the appropriate stage.