HC Deb 22 May 1981 vol 5 cc206-7W
Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what support has been forthcoming from the European Community to finance the development of alternative energy sources; how many projects it has funded within member States; which projects have benefited from Community support in the United Kingdom; and if he is satisfied that British projects have benefited from the funds available as fully as possible.

Mr. John Moore

The Community has two support programmes relevant to alternative energy sources The second four-year programme of energy R and D wilt make 72 mEUA—about £38 million—available for such work, and the new sources demonstration projects scheme, which started in 1979 and has a five-year life, 95 mEUA, about £50 million. Contracts are still being let for these programmes and it is not yet possible to give details of the overall pattern of support. However, the first four-year programme of energy R and D, ending in 1979, resulted in 681 support contracts, worth about £30 million, throughout the Community, of which 100, worth about £3 million, were with United Kingdom organisations. Details of these contracts are published in "Status Report 79: Energy Research and Development Programme", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. I am satisfied that United Kingdom research organisations are in general making good use of the opportunities available to them within these programmes.

Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total sum that the United Kingdom has received in each of the years since accession to the European Community in respect of energy projects; and if he will specify the general categories involved.

Mr. John Moore

The general areas of support by the Community for energy research, development and demonstration are nuclear power—including fusion—energy savings, alternative energy sources and projects in the hydrocarbons sector. United Kingdom organisations have been among those receiving support in all these areas, but no analysis of United Kingdom receipts by year is available.

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