§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the terms of reference of his Advisory Council on Research and Development for Fuel and Power; what is its current membership; how often it meets; and whether it is his policy that all its future work should remain private and confidential to himself.
Mr. ValleyThe terms of reference of the Advisory Council on Research and Development for Fuel and Power are
1. To advise the Secretary of State for Energy on research and development in relation to his statutory duty of securing the effective and co-ordinated development of coal, petroleum and other sources of fuel and power in Great Britain, and of promoting economy and efficiency in the supply, distribution, use and consumption of fuel and power, whether produced in Great Britain or not;2. To advise the Secretary of State of new scientific and technical knowledge or applications of knowledge throughou the world, which in the opinion of the council should be taken into account in the performance of his statutory duties;3. To keep the whole field of fuel and power under continuous review with the object of identifying problems needing research and development and advising the Secretary of State of these problems with a view to discussion with the industries.I am arranging to send the hon. Member details of the current membership. The council normally meets formally five or six times a year. In addition it visits relevant research establishments from time to time. I propose to continue the past practice of preserving the confidentiality of the council's advice to me.