§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the proposal to close the Freshwater Biological Association station at East Stoke in Dorset; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonMy Department has received two representations about the proposal to close the Freshwater Biological Association station at East Stoke. The Natural Environment Research Council is considering improvements to its Institute of Terrestrial Ecology at Furzebrook, to accommodate staff from the Freshwater Biological Association. This would allow the sale of the association's site at East Stoke. I understand that staff support amalgamation with Furzebrook, and that NERC would retain essential freshwater research facilities at East Stoke.