HC Deb 07 March 1988 vol 129 c12
15. Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much will be spent by his Department on research into alternative methods of energy in the next five years.

Mr. Michael Spicer

The public expenditure White Paper, Cm. 288, published in January 1988, envisages that up to 1991 about £50 million will be spent on research into renewable sources of energy. Information for subsequent years is not available.

Mr. Boswell

Is my hon. Friend aware that the House will welcome the proposal in the White Paper on the privatisation of electricity to put non-renewable sources together with nuclear under a single quota? That is greatly to be welcomed. Will he consider bringing forward his surveys into and studies of renewable energy as soon as possible?

Mr. Spicer

My hon. Friend is right to say that renewables are included in the quota of non-fossils in the White Paper. That is widely welcomed. We shall produce the survey and report by mid-summer.