§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost for 1977–78 of the Hydrographic Service; how much of the cost is to be contributed to (a) the Department of Energy and (b) the Ministry of Overseas Development; and how much of the costs of the survey fleet which was identified in the defence review as being surplus to strict minimum defence requirements will still be met from the Defence Vote.
§ Mr. DuffyThe estimated total net cost of the Hydrographic Service for 1977–78 is £14 million. As regards the costs in 1977–78 of that part of the survey fleet that was identified in the defence review as surplus to strict minimum defence requirements, the Department of Energy and the Ministry of Overseas Development434W will each contribute £½ million and a further £1 million has been provided in Defence Estimates.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence in view of the need to support the British shipbuilding industry, what steps are being taken to build the four additional coastal survey vesesls recommended by the 1975 Hydrographic Study Group to enable the Royal Navy to meet its priority task in home waters and overseas.
§ Mr. DuffyAs I announced in a reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 12th October 1976, it has been decided that the Hydro-graphic Fleet will remain at its present size for the time being.—[Vol. 917, c.92–3.]