§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department has spent on research into the use of(a) LPG, (b) hydrogen and (c) electricity as an alternative to fossil fuels in each of the last five years.[160912]
§ Mr. HainLiquid petroleum gas (LPG) has been available in the market for a long time and the technology involved is well developed. The Government have not viewed it as appropriate to carry out their own research programme into LPG.
Over the past five years, the has provided support averaging some £1 million per year for research on fuel cells, which could provide a major application for hydrogen in the medium term. The DTI is currently reviewing hydrogen research, and a report has been commissioned.
It is unclear what the hon. Member intends by his reference to research on the use of electricity as an alternative to fossil fuels, since of course electricity can be generated from both fossil fuels and other fuels such as renewable energy. My recent announcement of £55.5 million funding for R&D on renewables over the next three years represents a substantial boost for renewables R&D, as part of the Government's £260 million wide-ranging package of incentives for renewable energy.