§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much has been spent by his Department in each of the last five years on the development and encouragement of environmentally sensitive processes in industry both public and private.
§ Mr. RidleyIn general, it is for industry to develop new processes to meet environmental requirements imposed by Government. My Department has, however, recently launched the environmental protection technology scheme to assist development to proof of concept stage of new technologies which would enable standards to be improved. A number of promising applications are being considered, but no grants have yet been made. In addition in 1988–89 my Department is providing support of £25,000 for the better environment awards for industry.