§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent environmental criteria determine energy policy within his Department.
§ Mr. WakehamMy Department's general aims centre around ensuring that the nation's energy needs are met, both now and in the future, in a manner which makes best use of resources, within the framework of Government policy and of our international obligations. These considerations include the preservation of the environment, both at the national level and more widely. On a detailed level, my Department's research and development objectives (published in the "Annual Review of Government Funded R&D") include environmental acceptability as a specific criterion.