§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what he estimates to be the cost of a major refit for the Natural Environment Research Council vessel Discovery at today's prices; what allowance he has made for funding such a refit in whole or in part in the coming financial year; and when he anticipates that refit may commence.
Mr. JacksonThe total cost of a major refit for the RRS Discovery was estimated by the Advisory Board for the Research Councils in their advice published in July 1988 as about £10 million at current prices. Details of the grant-in-aid to the Natural Environment Research Council for the period 1989–90 to 1991–92 will be announced shortly. It will be for the NERC to determine its priorities, both in 1989 and later years, in the light of the available resources.