§ 7. Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for Energy if Her Majesty's Government intend to provide grants towards the cost of installation of solar heating.
§ 21. Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what financial assistance is presently available to people installing solar heating; and what further steps he proposes to take to encourage such installation.
§ Dr. John A. CunninghamNo grants are at present available towards the installation of solar heating, and there are no current plans to provide general assistance for this purpose.
§ Mr. JesselDoes the hon. Gentleman accept that it is in the national interest to encourage the use of energy derived from the sun, which is unlimited and eternal and would save on the use of fossil fuels? Is he aware of the strong recommendation of the Select Committee on Science and Technology? If so, what will the Government do about it?
§ Dr. CunninghamThere have been some interesting comments about this Administration but being the Administration of the Sun King is not one of them. I am aware of the recommendations of the Select Committee on Science and Technology which were published only in July of this year. The Select Committee made 22 recommendations about alternative sources, seven of which specifically referred to solar power, and we are considering them.