§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the Government are committed to developing renewable energy sources as a means of limiting environmental destruction and pollution; how much money has been invested in renewable energy research for each year from 1985 to 1992; what plans he has to reduce Britain's dependency on, and consumption of, oil; and what plans the Government have drawn up to limit the amount of environmental damage caused by the drilling and transportation of oil.
§ Mr. EggarI have been asked to reply.
The Government are committed to the development of sources of renewable energy with prospects of being economically attractive, and environmentally acceptable. My Department has invested the following amounts on research, development, and demonstration as part of its programme on renewables.
571W
Financial year Outturn (£ million) 1985–86 13.2 1986–87 12.0 1987–88 16.3 1988–89 16.0 1989–90 17.9 1990–91 20.8 1991–92 24.6 The renewables orders under the non fossil fuel obligation have resulted in contracts being signed for 600 MW of plant so far.
The Government also continue to promote cost-effective energy efficiency measures which reduce the demand for fuel and emissions associated with their use.
The Government are fully committed to meeting their obligations on reducing pollution from offshore oil and gas activities. These obligations stem from agreements reached within the Paris Commission. Concerning the transportation of oil, in addition to the Department of Transport inquiry into the loss of Braer, the Government have announced a second inquiry, chaired by Lord Donaldson, to consider whether any further measures are appropriate and feasible to protect the United Kingdom coastline from pollution due to merchant shipping.