§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on progress of the Severn barrage project.
§ Mr. David HuntIn answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 12 May 1983 at column379 the then Secretary of State for Energy announced that the Government and the Severn Tidal Power Group would jointly fund an assessment of the technical and financial viability of a private sector Severn barrage. Work is proceeding on this assessment.
The Department has also been approached by the Wimpey-Atkins Group seeking support for a similar study for a smaller barrage at the English Stones Site near the Severn bridge. I hope to make an announcement on this shortly.
My Department has also recently funded some background studies on tidal energy.