§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Energy when he hopes to make a statement on the National Engineering Laboratory's report on the feasibility of harnessing wave power for the generation of electricity.
§ Mr. John SmithA draft of the report on wave power is currently under discussion between my officials and representatives of the National Engineering Laboratory. The question of a statement must await the outcome of these discussions.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress is being made by the Edinburgh University team sponsored by his Department on the uses of wave power.
§ Mr. John SmithThe Government have awarded a three-year contract to the University of Edinburgh for investigating the possibilities of generating electricity from the energy in sea waves. The project is being sponsored by the Department of Industry with the full support of my Department. The work began last October, and it is too early to consider making any report on progress.