§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the projects covered by the expanded research effort in Antarctica undertaken by the Natural Environment Research Council.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe expanded research effort by the British Antacrtic Survey, an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council, covers work mainly in two areas: the geological and marine life sciences. In the former, the additional work includes fundamental research into geological processes and geological and geophysical surveys. In the latter there will be increased effort on studies of the marine ecosystem, including research into birds, seals, krill and fish.
Investigations by the BAS of the Antarctic ice environment as a measure of changes in climate, atmospheric pollution and sea level are also being enhanced.
Increased support by the NERC for university-based Antarctic research includes a three-year programme of research grants and studentships in the geological, life and atmospheric sciences and a five-year research contract with the University of Birmingham supporting marine geophysics.
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