HC Deb 17 May 1978 vol 950 cc217-8W
Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out in tabular form the extent of accumulated financial support in the United Kingdom for each of the following new sources of energy: solar, wind, wave, tidal, geothermal and biomass; and if he will provide comparable figures for each of the other eight member States of the EEC.

Mr. Eadie

For the United Kingdom I am able to answer only for the public sector. The Governmental support allocated to the new sources of energy has been set out in various public announcements as follows:

£ million
Solar (including biomass) 6.0
Wind 0.2
Wave 2.6
Tidal 0.1
Geothermal 0.9

I have no responsibility for the other eight member States of the EEC, but I am informed that the Commission of the European Communities has just published a report (EUR 5911 E) on the energy research and development financed through the public sector of the individual member States of the Communities for the period 1974–76. This document will soon be available through Her Majesty's Stationery Office. I shall arrange for a copy to be deposited in the Library, and I shall send a copy to the hon. Member.