§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the amount of public expenditure on research and development into nuclear power thermal reactors, nuclear power fast breeder reactors, wave power, tidal power, solar energy, wind power, biomass energy projects, and photovoltaic cells, respectively, during 1979–80 and the projected figures for 1980–81.
§ Mr. John MooreIn 1979–80 the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority expects to spend around £150 million—net—on nuclear energy research and development. Of this about £15 million is for research and development directly related to thermal reactors and their safety, and some £60 million is expected for fast reactors and their safety, though other parts of the research and development programme are also relevant to both thermal and fast reactor development.
For 1980–81 expenditure on both systems is expected to remain at about the same level in real terms.
In 1979–80 the Department of Energy expects to spend the following sums on research and development programmes on energy sources as listed;
£ Wave power … … 3,150,000 Tidal power … … 298,000 Solar energy … … 898,000 Wind power … … 451,000 Biomass energy … 119,000 Expenditure allocations in respect of the above energy sources for 1980–81 have yet to be settled.
147WResponsibility for research and development on photovoltaic cells rests with the Department of Industry. The Department of the Environment and other Departments also have solar energy programmes.