§ Mr. BakerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what amount (i) in actual terms and (ii) in terms of the percentage of public expenditure on energy research and development will be spent in 1997–98 on research and development for(a) nuclear fission, (b) nuclear fusion, (c) fossil fuel generation and (d) renewable energy sources. [36882]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 30 March 1998]: My Department's estimated energy programme expenditure in 1997–98 was £222.2 million. The detailed expenditure figures requested, which reflect commitments inherited from the previous Administration, are as follows (percentage in brackets):
- nuclear fission: nil
- nuclear fusion: £17.1 million (7.7%)
- fossil fuel generation: £3.7 million (1.7%)
- renewables: £11.1 million (5.0%).