§ Mr. HeseltineTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the current level of support for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's programme of research in controlled thermonuclear fusion.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe Government earlier this year supported the European Council of Minister's decision to extend the life of the Joint European Torus (JET) project at Culham by two years to the end of 1992, to enable it to complete its agreed scientific objectives. This will mean further expenditure on JET of £75 million a year, which is partly funded by the United Kingdom. As a consequence, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority will continue to carry out research and development in support of JET and its programme of work on the tokamak route to fusion. Support for other lines of fusion research will be reduced gradually. Additional resources will be made available to enable the UKAEA's laboratory at Culham to expand its commercial work, building on the laboratory's existing success in marketing its expertise and the high quality and reputation of its staff.