§ Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the outcome of discussions in the last meeting of the Community Energy Council regarding the joint appraisal and co-ordination at Community level of the energy programmes of the nine member States of the Community.
§ Mr. BennIn a general discussion of the Community energy situation at the 30th October Energy Council, there was wide agreement that the main contributions to achieving Community objectives in the energy field must come from the64W national programmes of member States but that there was scope for some Community action to fill the gaps in those programmes provided it was undertaken in a way which did not undermine the interests of member States. I agree with this approach and believe that the development of energy policy is primarily a matter for member Governments, co-ordinated through the council.
§ Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Energy what initiatives he will be taking in the EEC Energy Council with regard to the need for a new Community energy research and development programme to be initiated by June 1979.
§ Mr. BennWe have received the Commission's proposals for a second four-year energy research and development programme. We are examining these proposals to ensure that any Community programme is needful and relevant to Community requirements and is complementary to national programmes of member States, and that the likely results of the research will justify the expenditure involved.