§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the refit of the "Sir Frederick Russell" a vessel belonging to the 453W Natural Environment Research Council, in a Belgian as opposed to a British yard; what estimate he has made of the cost of the refit of the vessel; and what is his Department's policy with regard to accepting the lowest tender for carrying out such a refit.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the reasons for permission being given for the Natural Environment Research Council's ship "Sir Frederick Russell" to be repaired in a Belgium shipyard.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hughes) on 22 February 1980.