§ 15. Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the earliest date on which a Government commitment can be made to the Severn barrage; and if he will make it his policy to continue support for this and other water-based electricity generating proposals.
§ Mr. David HuntThe work now in hand on the Severn barrage is aimed at reducing uncertainty on its likely costs and performance, assessing regional and environmental implications, and defining the further work that would be required to enable any decision to be made to proceed to construction. The present programme of work should allow this present phase to be completed towards the end of 1988.
My Department will continue support for further work on tidal barrages and other promising water-based electricity-producing renewable energy sources.