HC Deb 09 June 1982 vol 25 cc118-9W
Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of the research and development funds listed in reply to the question of the hon. Member for Kilmarnock on 20 May, Official Report, c. 144 has been spent on nuclear energy; and what percentage has been spent on alternative or renewable sources.

Mr. Mellor

The percentage of research and development funds spent by my Department on nuclear energy and on alternative or renewable sources of energy, comprising wind, wave, geothermal, solar, biomass and tidal power, during the last five financial years has been as follows:

1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82*
Percentage of R & D funds spent on:
nuclear energy 87 88 84 85 83
alternative or renewable sources n/a† 2 4 5 6
* Estimated outturn.
† Prior to 1978–79, expenditure on renewable energy research and development was not recorded on a comparable basis.