HC Deb 08 November 1982 vol 31 cc34-5W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide additional money to the British Antartic Survey to compensate for the animal, plant, climatic, and the technological research destroyed at Grytviken.

Mr. William Shelton

While no amount of money can fully compensate for losses in, for instance, continuous meteorological data series at Grytviken, South Georgia, my right hon. Friend has announced this afternoon in a written reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Colvin) that special provision is being made, within the science budget for 1983–84, for an increase of £4 million in the programme of the British Antarctic Survey, through the Natural Environment Research Council. It will be for the British Antarctic Survey to decide how to apportion the additional money as between the replacement of lost and damaged scientific and other equipment at Grytviken, where I understand that the extent of the losses is still being evaluated and to survey other activities.