§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what consideration he is giving to a combination of combined heat and power technology, and solid oxide fuel cells;
(2) what support he is giving to research on solid oxide fuel cells;
(3) if he will make a statement on the work of the energy support unit at Harwell in relation to fuel cell technology;
(4) what action he is taking to promote the use of existing skills in the United Kingdom to promote the development of solid polymer fuel cell technology.
§ Mr. EggarOn 11 March this year, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State announced a research programme to accelerate the development of fuel cell systems for early application in the United Kingdom. He also announced the appointment of a fuel cell advisory panel with members who are experts from industry, to advise and provide guidance on the content of the programme.
In forming this programme, the Department of Energy, now the DTI, consulted with researchers and industry and commissioned studies which indicate that the United Kingdom has technical skills and industrial interests needed to advance the development of two fuel cell types, the solid oxide and solid polymer. While this programme is likely to concentrate on the development of the technologies, it will he guided by potential applications such as combined heat and power.
The energy technology support unit at Harwell will act as the DTI's agent for managing the programme.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute a study of legislation in the state of California relating to zero pollution emissions, and the use of fuel cells in hydrogen.
§ Mr. EggarMy Department has already undertaken a number of studies on fuel cells and I refer the hon. Member to my answers to his other questions today. On the matter of californian state emissions regulations, these are well documented in technical publications and are available to the public.