HC Deb 21 May 1976 vol 911 cc749-50W
Mr. Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to have a report from the Institute of Geological Sciences regarding the mineral resources of Scotland.

Mr. Mulley

The Natural Environment Research Council, through its component body the Institute of Geological Sciences, is carrying out the following programmes related to the mineral resources of Scotland: an investigation of metalliferous and associated minerals, funded by the Department of Industry; an assessment of bulk minerals, currently sand and gravel, funded by the Department of the Environment, partly for the Scottish Development Department; the Geological Survey, funded by the council from my Department's grant in aid and the Departments of the Environment, Energy and Industry; and a geochemical recon- naissance, funded by the Department of Industry.

Reports are issued from time to time. Progress depends on the requirements and priorities of the funding Departments.