§ Mr. Eggarasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's fusion programme.
§ Mr. GoodladMy Department has recently completed a review of the United Kingdom's fusion programme. This research forms an integral part of the Euratom fusion programme, a successful example of European cooperation in the high technology sector, to which the United Kingdom makes a major financial and scientific contribution.
My right hon. Friend has decided that the Government's direct contribution to the UKAEA's fusion work, which is carried out under a contract of association with Euratom, should be £15.9 million in 1985–86, £13.7 million in 1986–87 and £13.3 million in 1987–88.
This funding, along with our commitments to the Joint European Torus project under the joint understanding and the host agreement, will ensure that the United Kingdom maintains a substantial fusion programme.