§ Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate, from international sources available to him, the comparative rates of direct Govern-met assistance for domestic solar heating installations in the United Kingdom, the countries of the EEC and the United States of America, together with any other countries where the assistance is higher than in the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EadieThere is no direct Government assistance in the United Kingdom for the installation of domestic solar space or water heating and there is no information available on comparative rates of assistance in force or proposed in other countries. The Homes Insulation Bill now before Parliament will provide financial assistance for private householders for the insulation of roof spaces and water supply. The Government consider these to be more cost-effective energy conservation measures in United Kingdom conditions than is solar heating at present.
§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Energy what examination his Department has made of the recent experiments by Dr. John Wilson of the Heriot-Watt University into the growing of silicon on stainless steel plates with a view to tapping the sun's energy; and 493W what contribution he considers this might make to energy resources.
§ Mr. CryerI have been asked to reply.
My Department is aware of this work which is being funded and monitored by the Science Research Council up until September 1980 at a cost of £31,975. Whilst the ultimate objective of the work is to evaluate the application of the technique to the development of solar cells, it is not possible to say at present whether there will be any contribution to energy resources.