§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his Department's research into geothermal power.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerIn June 1986 it was announced that the hot dry rock geothermal programme in Cornwall would be extended for a further two years from October 1986 at an additional cost of £5.85 million. A further £1 million was allocated to support work at other centres. The aim of the work in Corn wall is to develop understanding of the nature, technical requirements, economics, and potential of hot dry rock technology sufficiently to make decisions whether to proceed to further experimental work leading to commercial exploitation at depths of up to 7 km.