§ 47. Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department is taking to encourage the coal mining industry to develop new methods of burning coal.
§ Mr. BaldryBritish Coal has an international reputation for research and development into new methods of burning coal and an impressive record of introducing new ideas commercially in association with plant manufacturers. Government support for pre-commercial research and development on new combustion technologies is made available from time to time as appropriate, such as at British Coal's Grimethorpe facility, where £ 17 million was provided for pressurised fluidised bed combustion over the period 1976 to 1984, and up to a further £8 million offered last year for a three-year programme on British Coal's topping cycle concept.