§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much the Government expended in 1976 on research into new sources of energy, such as tidal and solar energy; and what proposals he has for increasing this sum in future years.
§ Mr. EadieThe Government expenditure in the United Kingdom on research and development on such sources for the financial year 1976–77 was about £1.35 million. In addition, the estimated United Kingdom share, for the year 1976, of the expenditure on solar and geothermal energy programmes of the Commission of 527W European Communities—estimated on budget data—was £0.35 million. My Department has already announced programmes totalling about £10 million, and, given encouraging results from these, I expect this figure to be substantially increased.