§ 13. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the proportions of total Government grants for research into alternative sources of energy allocated to solar, wave and wind and geothermal projects.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI gave detailed figures for my Department's expenditure on new and renewable sources of energy in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 3 November 1983. The proportions of this expenditure allocated to solar, wave, wind and geothermal projects in 1982–83 were 10 per cent., 22 per cent., 18 per cent. and 32 per cent. respectively.
§ Mr. ChapmanI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that information. I appreciate that Government grants should be allocated according to the merits and prospects of individual projects, but will my right hon. Friend comment on Government grants to wind power, particularly in view of the recent article in the magazine Nature, entitled "Wind Blows Cool"?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI am aware of that article, but, as the wind blows in my Department, we have over £6 million committed to the windmill project in Orkney and are awaiting the design and revised development cost plan. Those have not yet been received. When we receive them, we shall consider the up-to-date position.