§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the research projects and studies on merchant marine issues which are currently under commission by his Department, their purpose, the organisations which are carrying out the work, and the costs.
§ Mr. StanleyThe Ministry of Defence and the Department of Transport are undertaking a joint study into the future availability of merchant shipping for defence purposes. As part of that study the Department of Transport has commissioned SEA Group consultants to forecast future trends of availability in certain categories of merchant shipping. The cost of the consultants' study is a matter for the Department of Transport. There are no other research projects or studies currently under commission to outside bodies or consultants.