§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the decision was taken to approve the funding to the British Antarctic Survey for the construction of a hard rock airstrip at Rothera base in the Antarctic.
Mr. JacksonAdditional funds for the construction of the crushed rock airstrip at the British Antarctic Survey Rothera station were announced by my right hon. Friend on 8 November 1988 at columns134–35. The final decision on the project was subject to the completion of a comprehensive environmental evaluation and the incorporation of agreed environmental protection clauses in any contract. The project was finally agreed by the natural environment research council in August 1989.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make it his policy to make funds forthcoming to enable the British Antarctic Survey to remove abandoned bases and British rubbish on Deception Island by(a) allocating new funds for this purpose and (b) using part of the £22 million currently designated for the construction of a hard rock airstrip at Rothera base; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonFollowing the public expenditure autumn statement in 1989, a total of £250,000 was made available in each of the financial years 1990–1991 and 1991–1992, with £75,000 in subsequent years to assist the British Antarctic Survey with the improvement of waste disposal and environmental management at its existing bases and to assist with the clean-up of abandoned sites, including the one on Deception Island. Some of the £11.1 million allocated for the Rothera airstrip is also being used in minimising and monitoring the environmental impact of the construction.