§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Minister for Energy, in view of the fact that Command Paper No. 5519 on Public Expenditure shows a planned reduction in expenditure on nuclear research from £61.2 million in 1973–74 to £18.0 million in 1977–78, if he will make a statement on the Government's commitment to research into nuclear fusion.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinFollowing the Government's announcement of 22nd March 1973, expenditure on fusion research is being increased. The research 83W forms part of the co-ordinated programme of the European Community. The full cost over the three years to 31st December 1975 is estimated at £17 million: part of this will be met by Euratom.
The forecasts in Command Paper No. 5519 of net nuclear expenditure cover not only research and development but also other expenditure and receipts, including receipts of the Atomic Energy Authority from the sale of uranium ore. The net provision for research and development is £51.9 million in 1973–74, decreasing to £30.6 million in 1977–78. As shown by paragraph 20 on page 39 of the Command Paper, the greater part of this is on nuclear reactor research and development. The net provision for other research and development in 1973–74 and 1977–78 is £8.4 million and £8.2 million respectively: this allows for expenditure on fusion research to be maintained at its current level.