HC Deb 10 April 1989 vol 150 cc557-8
4. Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what further funding he proposes to provide for the next stage of research into Dr. Stephen Salter's wave energy project.

Mr. Peter Morrison

There are no current plans for additional funding for this project.

Mr. Macdonald

Nevertheless, will the Minister undertake to ask the technology support group at Harwell to reconsider the feasibility of Dr. Salter's project? With the benefit of hindsight, does the Minister agree that it was a mistake for the Government to cut off funding for wave energy projects in 1982? Surely Britain should be taking the lead in wave energy development and not allowing countries such as Norway to gain export orders on the back of British know-how.

Mr. Morrison

The hon. Gentleman will know that Dr. Salter has been in correspondence and has had meetings with my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State, who is specifically responsible for such matters within the Department. He will realise that since 1983, about £446,000 has been spent on Dr. Salter's project. I do not believe that there is currently a specific application. Were there to be one, that would be considered in the light of all the other competing priorities.