Fuel Cell Research

HC Deb 21 June 1993 vol 227 cc19-20W

Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount invested in fuel cell research by his Department for 1993–94; and what are the totals invested in such research (i) in the European Community, and (ii) for all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development members.

Mr. Eggar

My Department's expected expenditure of about £0.8 million this year on advance fuel cell research provides a focus for United Kingdom activity and assists companies to participate in European programmes. Under the last EC Joule round, about £10 million of public funding was allocated to 17 projects on fuel cells recommended for support of which 10 involved at least one United Kingdom participant.

The total research expenditure—industry and government—on fuel cell research is estimated to be about £50 million a year for the EEC and about £100 million a year for all OECD countries.