HC Deb 06 April 1976 vol 909 cc131-2W
51. Mr. Joseph Dean

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make a statement on future policy covering work for overseas Governments to be undertaken by the Royal Naval Hydro-graphic Service.

Mr. Judd

Any request from an overseas country for the services of the RN Hydrographic Service would be considered. There are, of course, many factors to be taken into account: but generally, and in line with recommendation 13 of the Hydrographic Study Group report, the Hydrographer stands ready to encourage, and if practicable to assist in the progress of, survey work in any part of the world.

Mr. Pattie

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost in 1975–76 of the hydrographic survey fleet; and what proportion of this cost was attributable to work directly for the Royal Navy's own requirements.

Mr. Judd

I would refer the hon. Member to what I said in the House during the debate on 19th December 1975. The estimated cost of the Hydrographic Survey Fleet in 1975–76 was £8 million.