§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Energy what international groups concerned with renewable energy sources he uses, in order to maximise the benefit to developing renewable energy sources in the United Kingdom; and if he will give any conveniently available figures, indicating pro rata Government expenditure on renewable energy sources in the United Kingdom, and other countries of the European Economic Community and International Energy Agency.
§ Mr. John MooreThe United Kingdom is involved in a number of international programmes concerned with the development of renewable energies. The programmes of the Commission of the European Communities and the International Energy Agency (IEA) are of particular importance. An important aim of collaboration in these programmes is to supplement national programmes and to keep the United Kingdom abreast of developments in other countries.
The IEA has published figures in "Energy Research Development and Demonstration in IEA Countries—1979 Review of National Programmes" for the estimated Government expenditure by member States on renewable energy sources and for the larger member countries. These are as follows: 403W
Expenditure 1979 (est) £ Million Belgium 2.1 Canada 8.7 Denmark 4.0 Federal Republic of Germany 21.8 Italy 6.3 Japan 18.1 Netherlands 4.7 Spain 4.3 Sweden 15.0 United States of America 301.9 United Kingdom 9.1 The figures have been converted from dollars at the rate of $2.127 to £1. The United Kingdom figures do not include the expenditure of the nationalised industries.
This publication is available in the House of Commons Library.