§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Industry what conclusions have been reached within his Department as a result of the review on support for desalination programmes.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe review to which the hon. Member refers is being conducted in conjunction with the Department's chemicals and minerals requirements board. A paper was received by that body towards the end of last year in which various options for R & D support were outlined. While further action has to be taken on one of these, the board has already expressed itself receptive to industrial proposals in the desalination area. This is evidenced by an offer of support it has recently made.