§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he plans to review the level of research and development programmes devoted to nuclear power and sponsored by his Department.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerMy Department keeps its nuclear research and development programmes under regular review.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will increase substantially the research and development budget devoted to renewable energy sources; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonMy Department has published its strategy for research and development of renewable energy sources in energy paper 55. In line with that strategy, expenditure is set to increase steadily over the next three financial years. It remains our policy to ensure that all economic and environmentally acceptable energy sources should be exploited fully.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of his Department's research and development budget is devoted to(a) gas-fired generation, (b) renewable energy sources and (c) energy conservation and efficiency in 1979 and each succeeding year.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonTechnological development in the field of gas-fired power generation has been taken forward by the power generation industry and equipment manufacturers without a need for Government intervention. Hence, in this field my Department has no separate budget for R and D. The other information requested is as follows:
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Percentage of Department's R and D expenditure Year Renewables Energy efficiency 1979–80 5.5 10.6 1980–81 6.5 10.9 1981–82 6.4 1.0 1982–83 5.2 1.8 1983–84 5.0 2.9 1984–85 6.4 2.7 1985–86 6.1 1.5 1986–87 7.0 2.0 1987–88 9.1 2.3 1988–89 8.9 1.7 Source: Annual Review of Government funded R and D. except 1 where breakdown not shown in source, and Departmental figures used. Figures used for total Departmental expenditure include throughout the period nuclear expenditure by the UKAEA in support of the Department's programmes.