HC Deb 25 June 1990 vol 175 cc107-9W
19. Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he uses on the comparative costs of renewable sources of energy, fossil fuel and nuclear power to guide his conduct of energy policy.

Mr. Baldry

In the pursuit of energy policy I make use of information from the energy industries and a variety of other sources.

21. Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy by how much investment by the Government in the development of renewable sources of energy has risen since 1979.

Mr. Baldry

Annual expenditure since 1979 by the Department of Energy on its renewables programme has more than doubled from £8–2 million to £17–9 million.

I will arrange for a table of annual expenditure to be published in the Official Report.

48. Mr. Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to encourage the generation of wind power.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Government will continue to support a major research and development programme on wind power aimed at developing its commercial viability and environmental acceptability for electricity generation. In addition, wind-generated electricity should benefit from the non-fossil fuel obligation and, at the present time, the public electricity suppliers are examining a number of possible schemes which have been submitted for inclusion under the renewables order to be made in the late summer.

50. Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much his Department allocated in 1989 to research and development for(a) nuclear fission and (b) renewable energy sources; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Provision for research and development into nuclear fission in 1989–90 was £135–4 million. This includes research and development into nuclear materials and radioactive waste management. Provision for renewable energy research and development in the same year was £17–9 million. Of the total expenditure of £153.3 million, some 35 per cent. was spent in Scotland.

54. Sir David Steel

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made an assessment of the appropriateness for the development of renewable energy of placing the energy technology support unit at the Atomic Energy Authority's research site at Harwell.

62. Sir Russell Johnston

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made an assessment of the appropriateness in respect of the development of renewable energy sources of locating the energy technology support unit at the Atomic Energy Authority's research site at Harwell; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Baldry

Responsibility for the research and development programme on renewable sources of energy remains with my Department. The energy technology support unit is responsible for the day-to day-management of the programme. On that basis, the Advisory Council on Research and Development, set up independently to advise the Secretary of State for Energy on matters of research and development for fuel and power, has reviewed and endorsed my Department's programme on renewables.