§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the expenditure of the hydrographer's department of the Royal Navy for each of the last 10 years, measured in current monetary values and in constant value, respectively.
§ Mr. JuddThe estimated provision for the Hydrographer of the Navy included in Supply Estimates for each of the financial years 1965–66 to 1974–75 is as follows:
£M—65–66, 5.4; 66–67, 4.3; 67–68, 5.3; 68–69, 3.8; 69–70, 3.7; 70–71, 4.1; 71–72, 5.5; 72–73, 6.8; 73–74, 7.0; 74–75, 8–3.
In terms of primes used for determining the 1974–75 estimates, these figures are:
£M—65–66, 10.0; 66–67, 7.6; 67–68, 9.1;68–69, 6.3; 69–70, 5.8; 70–71, 5.9; 71–72, 7.4; 72–73, 8.2; 73–74, 7.9; 74–75,8.3.
The fluctuation is due almost wholly to construction costs of ships in the Survey Fleet.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been employed in the hydrographer's department of the Royal Navy in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. JuddThe numbers of staff of the Hydrographic Department, naval personnel and civilian, were as follows for the years 1964–1973:
inshore survey craft are between 15 and 20 years old.
A new ocean survey ship is expected to be accepted into service this autumn.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to ensure that the Hydrographer of the Royal Navy is provided with up-to-date vessels and equipment to carry out his duties.
§ Mr. JuddThe major vessels of the survey fleet are purpose built and equipped for hydrographic surveying, and are among the most modem of their kind in the world. A new vessel of the 159W same class as the existing ocean survey ships, HMS "Herald", is to be accepted into service this autumn.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the work of the hydrography department of the Royal Navy he estimates to be necessary for civil maritime purposes; and what percentage exclusively for military purposes.
§ Mr. JuddIn view of the critical importance of hydrography in consultation with the Department of Trade and other Departments principally concerned, the Ministry of Defence has now set up a special study group to assess the future civil hydrographic requirement. British shipping interests and other chart users have been invited to participate in the vital work of the group. The military requirement is being assessed as part of the Defence Review.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to protect the work of the hydrographer's department of the Royal Navy from reductions in defence expenditure under current determination; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JuddAs I explained to the House on 3rd May 1974—[Vol. 872, c.556–7]—
Date of most recent edition Before 1900 1900–49 1950–59 1960–69 1970 onwards Number of charts … 132 599 642 1,160 732 Percentage of Admiralty series … 4 18½ 19½ 35½ 22½ per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent.