§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will give details of the current research programme into wave energy that his Department is sponsoring; and what further research programmes he expects to sponsor in the next year;
(2) how much has been spent by his Department on research into wave energy in the past five years; and how much it is proposed to spend in the current and next financial years.
§ Mr. John MooreThe Department is investigating the following wave energy devices: Salter duck, SEA clam, Bristol oscillating cylinder, Lancaster flexible bag and various types of oscillating water column. Some £9 million, including VAT, has been spent in the five financial years to 31 March 1981. Expenditure in the financial year 1981–82 will be about £3 million, including VAT. The future programme is currently being reviewed224W and a decision on its scope and cost will be taken in the light of the advice of the advisory council on research and development for fuel and power.