§ Mr. DafisTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what action is currently undertaken by his Department to promote the use and production of biofuels.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 29 January 1993]: The Department of Trade and Industry stimulates the development and use of renewable sources of energy, including biofuels, wherever they have the prospects of being economically attractive and environmentally acceptable. Our programme includes work on dry agricultural wastes such as straw—a precursor for energy crops such as short rotation arable coppice and miscanthus. Recent reports on this work include "The Development of Compacted Straw Fuel, ETSU B 1189"; "Short Rotation Arable Energy Forestry, Technology Summary 048"; and "The Potential of Miscanthus as a Fuel Crop, ETSU B 1354". These reports have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses and are available from the renewable energy inquiries bureau at the energy technology support unit, telephone (0235) 432450.