§ Mr. Sternasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will ensure that the port authorities of the Severn estuary are fully involved in the work of the Severn Tidal Power Group or any similar future study, and that all relevant information arising from its study is provided from time to time to the estuarial port authorities.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe 50 per cent. Government funded two-year study being carried out by the Severn tidal power group (STPG) is to assess the technical and financial viability of a barrage built and operated by the private sector. During the course of the study, the STPG will be consulting interested parties. I have therefore drawn the group's attention to the particular interest of the local port authorities and requested their inclusion in the consultation process.