§ 7. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will report progress in reducing unnecessary waste and duplication of European Economic Community member countries' research into alternative forms of energy.
Mr. Buchannan-SmithInformation on national programmes is exchanged between member states in Community research groups, bilaterally and within the International Energy Agency. Waste and unnecessary duplication should accordingly be avoided.
§ Mr. ChapmanAs I understand that the appropriate Council of Ministers meeting next week will consider and, for all I know, approve the next research and development programme into alternative forms of energy, will my right hon. Friend assure me that, in the light of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's admission some weeks ago that there was unnecessary waste and duplication, the programme will be examined carefully? Although many of us welcome the fact that Government funds made available for research and development have more than tripled, they are wasted if there is unnecessary duplication.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNot unusually, my hon. Friend is well informed. I hope to represent the Government at the Energy Council next week. I assure my hon. Friend that if the matter comes up for discussion I shall go to it with his words ringing in my ears.