§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether a contract has been placed for the construction of the new ship for the British Antarctic survey; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe natural environment research council yesterday signed a contract with Swan Hunter Shipbuilders for the construction of a new ship for the British Antarctic survey, to replace its 33-year-old dual purpose research and logistics vessel, the royal research ship John Biscoe.
The new ship, which will be named the James Clark Ross, will enable the British Antarctic survey to enhance its marine biology, geology and geophysics research programmes and to strengthen the logistical support which it gives to its bases in Antarctica.