§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the value of the work done for his Department on(a) geomagnetism and (b) his assessment of the future importance of geomagnetism studies to his Department.
§ Mr. McLoughlinInformation on magnetic variation is used in the preparation of charts for marine and civil aviation use. The Hydrographer of the Navy is responsible for providing information about magnetic variation for marine navigation purposes and the Civil Aviation Authority undertakes in conjunction with Ordnance Survey the production of civil aviation charts. To this end the CAA requires only a forecast of the general trend of magnetic variation 18 months ahead. No work has been done on geomagnetism for the Department of Transport, as geomagnetic studies are not of importance to the Department other than to the extent outlined.