HL Deb 22 July 1976 vol 373 cc1029-30WA
Lord KENNET

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is part of the Lord Privy Seal's duties to oversee or co-ordinate maritime research undertaken at the request of Government Departments and the Research Councils.

Lord SHEPHERD

I am responsible for ensuring the necessary co-operation and co-ordination between the research and development activities of Departments, taking account of work for which Research Councils are responsible. This includes responsibility for maritime research.

Lord KENNET

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Lord Privy Seal is now the "customer" for maritime research in the general interest (as opposed to sectoral or departmental "customers") and whether he is now responsible for seeing that the Naval Hydrographer is given enough money to finish his surveys of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf in less than 285 ship-years.

Lord SHEPHERD

No. A full explanation of my coordinating role was given by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister in another place on 8th June.