§ 14. Mr. Heathcoat-Amoryasked the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has received about proposals for a Severn tidal barrage.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerMy right hon. Friend and I have received a number of representations about the content and timing of the publication of the report by the Severn Tidal Power Group. We are now considering this report, and obviously these comments will be taken with consideration. The Severn Tidal Power Group hopes to release its report shortly.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryCan my right hon. Friend confirm that the Severn Tidal Power Group's report has been held up by his Department? Will he ensure that the report is published sooner rather than later, in view of the intense interest in the west country in the barrage?
§ Mr. WalkerThere is no disagreement between my Department and the power group about the date of publication. One must recognise that potentially the Severn barrage is the second biggest tidal barrage in the world and therefore an important consideration. The study group and the Government, who partly financed the study, are anxious to prepare the publication carefully, and I hope that the report will be published in the near future.