Alternative energy research funding
The Minister gave 1979 research figures totaling about £681,000, noted successive increases, and said a further rise was likely; he agreed funds would be available for worthwhile projects. The remaining questions were deferred.
The figures for 1979, the latest I have, are—biomass £415,000; solar £146,000, wind £40,000, wave £30,000 and heat pumps about £50,000. They represent fairly substantial increases on the previous year, which in turn represent increases on the year before that.
Comment on this
Does the Minister expect that the percentage increase this year will be substantial and that it will come to around £600,000?
Comment on this
I have already indicated that that is a likely result but I would hate the House to suggest that I accept the idea that the effectiveness of the research is to be measured by the amount of money that we put into it. I am sure that we all know that that is not so.
Comment on this
Can we take it that if worthwhile research projects are initiated by people here funds will be available to assist them in view of the importance of the future of such projects?
