§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to make subsidies available for renewable sources of energy.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Department is already giving substantial financial support to develop renewable sources of energy. We are supporting a major research and development programme aimed at developing commercially viable and environmentally acceptable renewable technologies to contribute to future energy supply. Around 250 projects are currently underway with a contract value of over £60 million and we expect to initiate 70–80 new projects during 1989–90. Over £50 million is earmarked for expenditure on renewable projects over the next three years. These projects include both research and development and a wide range of technology transfer activities designed to aid commercial deployment.