§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total(a) direct and (b) indirect Government support for the energy sector, excluding oil and gas production, in each year since 1990. [13287]
Ms Hewitt [holding answer 8 November 2001]: The information is set out in the table.
Government financial support for the energy sector, excluding oil and gas £ million Total support Year Direct Indirect 1990–91 283.5 127.1 1991–92 571.2 809.7 1992–93 814.1 892.9 1993–94 595.8 963.1 1994–95 372.5 988.4 1995–96 236.8 793.5 1996–97 197.1 112.8 1997–98 215.5 126.5 1998–99 317.0 127.0 1999–2000 227.0 56.4 2000–01 334.1 64.9 Notes:
1. The figures for direct support include:
(a) direct Government funding for research and development on renewable energy through the DTI's Sustainable Energy Programme and through Research Councils via the Science Budget
(b) support for the coal industry but excluding the impact of debt write-offs and proceeds at the privatisation of British Coal and payments made in respect of historic liabilities retained in the public sector, such as health claims
(c) support for nuclear based on the funding to the UKAEA details of which were included in the reply to a parliamentary question from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 14 November 2001, Official Report, columns 756–57W.
2. The figures for indirect support include:
(a) expenditure through the Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO), the Scottish Renewables Obligation and the Northern Ireland NFFO funded by the electricity consumer through the Fossil Fuel Levy in Great Britain and variant arrangements in Northern Ireland.
(b) the premium received by Nuclear Electric plc over and above the market price for electricity in the period 1990–96 details of which were provided in the reply to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 14 November 2001, Official Report, columns 756–57W.