§ 51. Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list Government expenditure on alternative energy over the past five years compared with the previous five years; and if he will make a statement on Government policy and expenditure plans for alternative energy.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Government have invested more than £81 million in R and D into renewable energy sources since 1979, and we have just announced fresh funding of £6.85 million for the hot dry rocks project based in Cornwall. Among other projects we are also funding development of the world's largest and most advanced aerogenerator, at Burgar Hill, Orkney.
This clearly shows the Government's determination to develop and promote all the economic renewable energy technologies which have the potential to contribute to United Kingdom energy supply.
Government expenditure on this programme was £14 million in 1984–85, and this strong support for renewable R and D will continue. We will also continue to encourage an increasing contribution from the private industry.
Details of expenditure over the past 10 years, comparing the past five years with the previous five years, are as follows:
£ million 1980–81 11.2 1981–82 17.3 1982–83 14.2 1983–84 11.3 1984–85 14.0 Total 68.0
£ million 1975–76 *0.5 1976–77 *1.0 1977–78 *2.5 1978–79 3.6 1979–80 8.2 Total 15.8 * includes energy conservation research and development.