BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CLOSURE OF CORE REPOSITORIES AND SAMPLES STORES

That this House notes with concern the sudden and unexpected decision by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to close the world-leading offshore and onshore hydrocarbon core repositories and samples stores in Gilmerton and Loanhead; deplores the decision to ignore the concerns of the many active academic and business stakeholders; notes that there currently is no alternative facility for these unique samples; rejects claims that this closure will result in efficiency savings or better science; further notes the announcement of the closure by BGS management in August 2009, a month before the consultant's report was finalised and published; further notes that there is no evidence of any geoscientist or other academic user, service user or oil industry stakeholder being consulted about this move and that the consultative group had no representative of the sponsoring Department, nor any scientist or other member who could credibly represent the views of Gilmerton and Loanhead's main users; regrets that BGS management cannot guarantee the safe transport of the historic core stock; further notes that the management dispensed with 24/7 security two years ago; further notes the failure of the Tribal Group to consider all options and the discrepancies between its report and its final recommendations; calls on the Government to halt the closure plan; and calls on the National Audit Office to carry out an assessment of the costs and a value-for-money audit of these proposals.