HC Deb 21 July 1975 vol 896 cc7-8W
Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of aid or financial support given during each of the last three years by foreign Governments to companies engaged in research and development of underwater techniques.

Mr. John Smith

No such estimate has been made and could not be made without disproportionate cost.

Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what facilities the Government own or control for research into and development of underwater technology.

Mr. John Smith

The more important facilities owned or controlled by the Government for research and development in underwater technology areNational Engineering Laboratory, Department of Industry: large fatigue test facilities and other mechanical test equipment; fluid machinery testing. National Physical Laboratory, Department of Industry: ship testing tanks, wind tunnels; coastal test Laboratory (Hythe, Hants). Warren Spring Laboratory, Department of Industry: rigs for simulation of ship motion. Building Research Establishment, Department of the Environment: seabed soil-testing facilities. Hydraulic Research Station, Department of the Environment: test tanks with wave-making facilities. Institute of Geological Sciences, Natural Environment Research Council: shipboard and laboratory facilities, unmanned submersibles. Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, Natural Environment Research Council: shipboard and laboratory facilities. In addition various establishments of the Ministry of Defence possess a wide range of facilities relevant to research on underwater technology. These include: High pressure diving chambers at the Deep Trials Unit and the Royal Naval Physiological Laboratory at Alverstoke. Diving tank at the Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit, HMS Vernon. High pressure test facilities at the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment at Portland and the Naval Construction Research Establishment at Dunfermline. The structural test frames at Dunfermline. Hydrodynamic tank facilities at the Admiralty Research Laboratory, Teddington. The Admiralty Experimental Works at Haslar.