§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Industry what support he is giving to the development of electrical powered motor vehicles.
§ Mr. David MitchellAs I indicated to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Rippon) in response to a similar question of 12 July 1979, the Department of Industry is supporting assessment trials being undertaken by the Greater London Council on electric vehicles manufactured by British companies and research and development and experimental programmes connected with batteries and electrical drive systems. Present commitments over a five-year period to December 1982 amount to £2.635 million for vehicles and transport system development and trials, £2.332 million for advanced battery research and 709W development and £92,000 for work on other components such as motors and controllers.
Work of this nature by companies to improve electric vehicles performance is continuous and the extent of departmental support regularly reviewed.