European Community

HC Deb 28 June 1982 vol 26 cc597-8

7. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisifed with progress towards the development of a European Community energy policy.

Mr. Mellor

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Knox

Has the Council of Ministers considered the possibility of introducing a common energy policy organised on the same lines as the common agricultural policy? Would not such a policy be of great advantage to this country?

Mr. Mellor

Linking a common energy policy to the CAP does not make it the most attractive proposition. The Community energy policy sets a framework for national energy programmes. We believe that Community action should be taken when necessary to supplement national energy programmes, but they cannot be a substitute.

Mr. Gwilym Roberts

Will the Minister save the country from the disaster suggested by his hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox)? In doing so will he remember that although there are many subjects on which there is a need for a common European policy, because of Britain's peculiar and strong energy position we are, in many respects, very differently placed from our European partners?

Mr. Mellor

I agree that we are differently placed, but there are many subjects where common interest is rightly shown—for instance, in dealing with our partners with the problem of shortfall of oil supplies, or funding, on a Community basis, research into alternative energy systems, to which we all attach importance. I think that the hon. Gentleman basically agrees with me. We have our own interest, which we must pursue on a domestic basis, but there are problems where it is of the essence that we co-operate with our partners. That is going ahead successfully.

Mr. Forman

My hon. Friend mentioned the Community's role in supplementing national energy policies. Is there any Community contribution that would be useful to this country in support of the development of tidal energy, especially the Severn barrage?

Mr. Mellor

It is too early to talk about any Community involvement in the Severn barrage project, but my hon. Friend will be aware that there is a good record in the Community of dealing with demonstration projects and researches into alternative energy systems. We are nearing agreement on a further 55 million European currency units to boost the demonstration project programme, and we are also looking to a third four-year research and development programme when the second programme ends next year.