§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 1999,Official Report, column 690, on the photovoltaic industry, what is his Department's budget in respect of photovoltaics; and what photovoltaic projects it plans to sponsor in developing countries in 1999–2000. [77073]
§ Mr. BattleMy Department is already committed to projects worth around £1 million for 1999–2000. Other projects, including the three initiatives I detailed in my previous answer (worth a total of £15 million, with £5 million coming from the DTI), will boost that figure significantly.
UK aid to developing countries is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Department of International Development (DFID). However, my Department, with DFID, is currently considering work through the International Energy Agency which could increase the rate of deployment of PV in Developing Countries and result in valuable business for UK based companies.