HC Deb 28 March 1977 vol 929 cc12-3W
21. Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will state the current proportions of annual United Kingdom expenditure on research relating to the following energy sources: (a) nuclear, (b) coal and gas and (c) alternative sources of energy, including solar, wind, tidal, geothermal and wave power.

Mr. Eadie

Total expenditure for the United Kingdom is compiled every three years; figures from the 1975–76 survey are not yet available.

The estimated expenditure on energy R & D by the Department of Energy, the UKAEA and the nationalised fuel and power industries, for 1976–77, is as follows:

£ million
Nuclear (including fusion work) by UKAEA and Electricity Council 130
Other nuclear (Department of Energy expenditure on development contracts with industry and the tripartite centrifuge project) 29
Electrical plant, generation, transmission and distribution 28
Gas 18
Coal 24
Offshore energy technology 10
New energy sources and conservation 1.8