§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he intends to take to contain the menace of the growth of sargassum on certain parts of the British coast;
(2) what finance and advice he contemplates offering to local authorities whose coasts are affected by the growth of sargassum.
§ Mr. Graham PageI am aware of the discovery of sargassum off part of the coast of the Isle of Wight and understand that the Natural Environment Research Council has given a grant to Portsmouth Polytechnic to carry out a scientific study of the problem and through the Nature Conservancy a grant for immediate action to contain the growth. Until their findings are known it is too early to say what further measures might be needed or what general advice should be given to the local executive bodies likely to be concerned.