HC Deb 07 November 1983 vol 48 c13
15. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he proposes to have discussions with the European Community Council of Ministers about alternative sources of energy.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

This was one of the matters discussed at the Energy Council, which I attended in Brussels last Friday.

Mr. Knox

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be more sensible to conduct research into alternative sources of energy entirely on a Community basis rather than by the present mixture of national and Community research?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I believe that a great deal can be achieved on a Community basis, through both the Community's research and development programme and the energy demonstration projects that we have been discussing. There is considerable scope for that, but it is also worth pursuing in the United Kingdom some of the more exciting possibilities for alternative energy.