----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I thought that this would be of interest to others.
Alberta
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| Alberta Auringer Wood, Maps, Data and Media Librarian, Memorial |
| University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, CANADA A1B 3Y1 |
| phone: 709-737-8892; fax: 709-737-2153; Internet: [log in to unmask] |
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 14:25:19 GMT
From: B.Boneham <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Future Structure of B.G.S.
Dear All
I am forwarding the following mailing to allow those
of you who wish to respond to be able to do so.
regards
Brian Boneham
Nene College
Northampton
NN2 7AL
From: CHARLIE NIVEN <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Future structure of British Geological Survey
Sender: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]
Reply-to: CHARLIE NIVEN <[log in to unmask]>
As USERS of services provided by the British Geological Survey (even
if it is only glancing at a geological map !) you have the chance
to comment on the proposed future structure of the BGS.
According to a recent government announcement the Natural
Environment Research Council (NERC) has begun a "prior options
review" of the British Geological Survey (BGS).
"BGS is the national centre for earth science information and
expertise, one of the world's major geoscience organisations and
the oldest national geological survey (founded in 1835). Its work
relates to mineral, energy and groundwater resources, land use and
geological hazards. Activities undertaken include basic, strategic
and applied geoscience surveying, monitoring, research and
development. The BGS also carries out training and is custodian
for geoscience data. Headquarters are at Keyworth,
Nottinghamshire, and there are other offices at Edinburgh, Exeter,
London, Wallingford, Belfast and in Wales (attached to the
University of Wales, Aberystwyth).
BGS staff number about 770, of whom over 550 are scientists. BGS
received annual income of 29.3 million in 1994/95 of which 13
million was from the NERC through the Science Budget.
A prior options study will be undertaken to establish whether
abolition, privatisation, contractorisation or rationalisation
would be appropriate for the organisation.
Comments should be sent by the end of February 1996 to: Dr David
Lynn, NERC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, SN2 1EU.
Telephone: 01793 411583
GTN: 14341583
Fax: 01793 411691
E-mail: [log in to unmask] "
It is not clear from the above what the four options actually mean
in practice but since the status quo is not an option then it is
obvious that the government intends to make cuts in the budget.
If the cuts are as drastic as anticipated the availability of
geological information and maps may be drastically reduced. It is
believed that when stocks of older maps are used up only
elctrostatic copies may be provided at prohibitively expensive
rates i.e. 75 each! We have already seen the cost of published
material rise dramatically e.g. Memoirs which cost 22 when
published in 1994 now cost over 50 less than 2 years later.
The quality of available material will stagnate and the effects
will be felt throughout the scientific and professional
communitites. This is especially true of site investigation where
reliable, up to date maps can save the construction industry
considerable amounts of additional expenditure. It has been
estimated that the amount of extra costs for reliable S.I. bourne
by private developers would be GREATER than the amount saved by
cutting the BGS science budget. BGS has had a 13% cut in staff in
the past three years. This is your chance to make informed
comments about how you think BGS should continue; reply to Dr. Lynn
on or before 29th February 1996.
Charlie Niven
Technical Director
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOTECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
--Boundary (ID 3bDuVZ7nJLo7IYiNAj8vhQ)--
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