asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will revise the Mineral Exploration and Investment Grants Act 1972 to promote greater exploration effort in the United Kingdom and make the grants more contingent on drilling, analogous to the Canadian approach.

In view of the present financial climate I cannot agree to any change in the mineral exploration and investment grants scheme that would place an additional financial burden on the Department's expenditure. Drilling is already a qualifying activity under the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he proposes to take any further legislative steps to make it simpler for companies which desire to explore for and win minerals in areas of complicated land titles to overcome the problems of locating the proprietors of mineral rights.

I have not received convincing evidence to show that the present legislation is unsatisfactory.