§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether changes in the method of funding the Atomic Energy Authority's nuclear research programmes are being considered.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Gray of Contin)I understand that the Secretary of State for Energy has received a report which recommends significant changes in the way in which some of the AEA's nuclear research and development programmes are funded. The Government are considering these recommendations, and although final conclusions in all areas have not yet been 637WA reached, I can assure the noble Lord that the Government's response will be published as soon as possible.
Details of the report's conclusions and recommendations have been placed in the Library of the House in the form of a press notice, issued by the Department of Energy on 3rd October.