Alternative Energy Supplies

Oral Answers to Questions — Energy – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 4 July 1983.

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Photo of Sir Sydney Chapman Sir Sydney Chapman , Chipping Barnet 12:00, 4 July 1983

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current cost of Government research undertaken into alternative forms of energy.

Photo of Mr Alick Buchanan-Smith Mr Alick Buchanan-Smith , Kincardine and Deeside

I expect my Department to spend between £13 million and £14 million on research into new and renewable sources of energy in 1983–84.

Photo of Sir Sydney Chapman Sir Sydney Chapman , Chipping Barnet

I welcome the proposed increase compared with what was spent five years ago. Alternative forms of energy can form only a small and marginal part of total national energy needs, but will my right hon. Friend use his good offices to encourage research and development? Will he bear in mind that it is beneficial for us to have as wide a range of alternative forms of energy as possible and to encourage Britain to have what are known as clean and renewable forms of energy?

Photo of Mr Alick Buchanan-Smith Mr Alick Buchanan-Smith , Kincardine and Deeside

I agree with my hon. Friend. I hope that he welcomes what my right hon. and learned Friend the then Chancellor of the Exchequer said in May about assistance to the Severn barrage study and the announcement last week of the £11 million that we are giving to the Camborne school of mines for research there. They are two recent examples of the Government's commitment. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his support.

Photo of Mr Robin Corbett Mr Robin Corbett , Birmingham, Erdington

Does the Minister accept that we are playing with the problem compared with the massive expenditure on the nuclear programme? Does he agree that if money were put into research and development we could not only save on existing forms of energy but could open up export markets for alternative energy?

Photo of Mr Alick Buchanan-Smith Mr Alick Buchanan-Smith , Kincardine and Deeside

I agree that the matter should not be ignored, but one should not go overboard either. I hope the hon. Gentleman will recognise that we are spending four times as much as the Labour Government were spending five years ago.