asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on steps that have been taken to co-ordinate research and development of new energy sources with other countries, including support of a European Energy Research Authority, similar in concept to ERDA recently set up by President Ford in the United States of America.

Co-ordination of R and D into new energy sources in a multinational framework is making steady progress. The setting up of the International Energy Agency, in which we are participating, is an important step towards drawing together the work of all countries with significant research and development potential in the energy sector.