§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the observatories from which geomagnetic data have been received by institutions for which he is responsible, in each of the last years for which figures are conveniently available and the observatories or other institutions to which United Kingdom data, from institutions for which he is responsible, have been sent in the same periods; for what purposes data have been sent or received in each case; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeI understand that the British Geological Survey (BGS) annually receives data from some 165 observatories around the world which are used to construct mathematical models of the Earth's magnetic field and its secular variation in collaboration with the United States Naval Oceanographic Office. Magnetic data from the models are included on many thousands of larger scale maps and navigational charts which have a worldwide circulation.
Copies of BGS geomagnetic bulletins and/or digital data catalogues are distributed worldwide. Some 35 organisations in the United Kingdom receive copies including Her Majesty's Stationery Office for further distribution to approximately 1,000 other organisations. Copies are also sent to 36 United States of America organisations, 16 in the USSR, 14 in Japan and 167 other organisations throughout the world. The information is used for magnetic charts, scientific research and as a guide to measuring techniques and standards.