§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if, following the publication of the report of the Advisory Council for Research and Development for fuel and power, he is now able to announce whether he will give further financial backing to the National Engineering Laboratory of East Kilbride and Lanchester polytechnic, which are engaged in the development of wave energy generators; and, if so, how much and over how many years;
(2) if he is now able to announce, following the publication of the report from the Advisory Council on Research and Development for fuel and power, whether he will give further financial backing to the development of Salter's ducks at Edinburgh university; if so, how much; and over how many years.
§ Mr. MellorMy right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Hardy) today that he will be able to allocate between £11 million and £12 million in the current financial year to research and development in the field of renewable energy sources. Wave energy is one of the less promising options. There will be limited scope28W for further research work, and the extensive existing data will be consolidated. The effect of this decision on individual devices and research centres is being worked out.