§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will give details, including details of expenditure, of research and development on each of the potential benign sources of energy currently being undertaken in the United Kingdom.
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§ Mr. John MooreMy Department's research and development expenditure in 1980–81 on wave, wind, solar, tidal and geothermal energy is expected to total about £11 million.
Work in earlier years on the four original wave energy devices together with more recent inventions has lead to the evolution of more cost-effective designs on which future support will be concentrated.
The wind energy programme, which includes research and development on both horizontal and vertical axis aerogenerators together with studies associated with the possible siting of machines in groups in shallow water, is to be continued.
Research towards the development of optimised solar water and space heating systems is to be supported. It is hoped that a test procedure for use by developers of equipment and a design and performance specification will be among the outcomes of this work. Similarly, departmental support is given to research leading to design guides for architects and builders who wish to use effectively the passive solar gains of buildings. Work is to continue on processes for the production of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels from waste and dry feedstocks (crops).
The pre-feasibility study on tidal power from the Severn Estuary is being undertaken under the guidance of the Severn barrage committee.
Work in the geothermal field on rock fracturing and hot brine aquifers will continue. An aquifer has already been found in the Wessex sedimentary basin when the borehole at Marchwood was sunk. It is at present being assessed.
NUMBER OF VEHICLES PRODUCED PER EMPLOYEE IN MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURING United Kingdom West Germany France Italy USA Japan 1960 4.2 — — — 10.9 1.6 1972 4.7 — — — 12.9 10.4 1974 3.9 4.9 7.4 7.0 11.1 — 1977 3.7 6.6 7.2 6.9 13.5 — 1978 3.4 6.5 7.2 — 13.2 — 1979 3.2 — — — 11.7 — The above table shows available information. It should not, however, be taken as a complete measure of relative productivity between the countries listed because the number of cars as a proportion of the total number of vehicles—cars plus commercial vehicles—produced varies between countries and because some coun-
584WWithin the estimated total of about £11 million to be spent in the current year on the alternative sources of energy, £9.9 million has been allocated as follows:
£ million Wave 3.5 Wind 1.0 Solar 1.7 Tidal 1.6 Geothermal 2.1 The balance has not yet been allocated between the alternative sources.