§ Mr. Skeetasked the Lord Privy Seal what research has been undertaken on sulphide ores in the deep ocean, the composition of occurrences and the reserves economically recoverable; and whether the International Sea Bed Authority will alone be responsible for authorising development work in the event of ratification of the law of the sea convention.
§ Mr. RidleyVarious research bodies (eg from the United States, United Kingdom, Federal Republic of Germany and France) have found metal sulphides in sediment associated with submarine hydrothermal and volcanic activity in many of the world's oceans. The most important metals involved are copper, zinc and silver, but whether there are economically recoverable deposits in the deep ocean beyond national jurisdiction is not yet certain. Under the terms of the draft Law of the Sea Convention, it is envisaged that the International Sea Bed Authority would be responsible for authorising exploration for and exploitation of the mineral resources in that area.