HC Deb 05 February 1969 vol 777 cc109-10W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for the development of aquanaut training as a result of the Sealab III experiments.

Dr. David Owen

The Sealab III trials have not yet taken place. In the meanwhile we have under consideration a physiological and engineering Research and Development programme aimed at providing, in the early 1970's, an operational deep diving capability to carry out prolonger operations on the sea-bed down to depths of at least 600 feet. Unlike the Sealab III, where the aquanauts work from a pressurised habitat on the sea-bed, R.N. divers would live on the deck of the supporting vessel in compression chambers transferring to the working depth by means of a pressurised submersible diving chamber.