§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Technology what machinery of consultation exists between his Department, private industry, the universities and the Royal Navy in researches in oceanography and marine science.
§ Mr. FowlerResearch in oceanography and marine sciences is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, who is356W advised by the Natural Environment Research Council. The Council has established consultation with the interests referred to by my hon. Friend primarily through the Oceanography and Fisheries Committee. The Department maintains close liaison with the Natural Environment Research Council by joint membership of the Committee on Marine Technology and by having representatives on the Council's Oceanography and Fisheries Committee. There is also important and productive informal contact at all levels between interests in this field.