asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the work and future financing of the Natural Environment Research Council and role of the British Geological Survey and its assistance to local authorities over land, mineral resources and workings and onshore oil industry.

I have been asked to reply.The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) will continue to receive a grant-in-aid from the Department's science budget, determined in the light of advice from the Advisory Board for the Research Councils. This grant-in-aid is £65·9 million in 1984–85 and will be £67·3 million in 1985–86. The council also carries out research commissioned by Government Departments and other bodies, on the basis that the full economic cost of suchwork is borne by the commissioning body.