§ Mr. McKelveyasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much has been spent in current prices on the research and development in the energy field on (a) nuclear energy, (b) "alternative" energy sources and (c) in total for each of the years since 1978; and how much is projected to be spent over the next three years.
§ Mr. MellorI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Edinburgh Central (Mr. Cook) on 28 October—[Vol. 29, c. 548–49]. Following the autumn statement 1982 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8 November, the net total for 1983–84 should be amended to £252 million. The public expenditure White Paper, to be published early in 1983, will give an amended net total of nuclear and non-nuclear research and development for 1984–85 and a breakdown into these two categories for 1983–84 to 1985–86.