asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will institute a survey of the mineral resources in Cornwall in order to ensure that any plans for the development of the region take proper account of the commercial possibilities of reopening closed mines.

The consultants who have been commissioned by the Joint Committee for the Economy of the South—West, with financial support from the Government, to study the development of the South—West are looking into mineral prospects in Cornwall.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him if this matter might be treated with some urgency because a number of independent investigators are interested in the mineral possibilities of the county and because it would undoubtedly be in the interests of the South—West generally that a survey should be completed as soon as possible so that British interests might have first place over foreign interests, which at the moment are receiving quite a lot of attention?

The report of the survey is expected in February and will be acted upon.