§ Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Energy what research and development has already been put in hand and what new technology developed, so that indigenous resources of primary and secondary raw materials and alternative source of energy could, if economic, be rapidly exploited.
§ Mr. BennConsiderable research and development is in hand on indigenous raw materials which are or might be sources of energy. Much of this work is carried out by the nationalised energy industries, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the nuclear industry and the oil companies. In the field of new non-nuclear energy sources, my Energy Technology Support Unit has carried out assessment studies. Research and development programmes are being drawn up for those areas which show most promise of making a significant contribution to the country's energy needs. The United Kingdom agencies also participate in international energy research programmes, such as those of the European Communities and the International Energy Agency.