asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much Government money has been invested to date in research and development into steel and concrete platforms, respectively; and whether he has any knowledge of outlays for similar purposes by the industry concerned.
Much of the research work supported by the Department is applicable to offshore installations of any form of construction, and includes programmes on environmental data collection; wind, wave and current forces; foundations; and inspection and repair. Of those programmes of direct relevance to the construction of steel or concrete oil and gas production platforms a number have been undertaken in collaboration with industrial participants. The total expenditure incurred on this work by my Department and industry respectively up to 31st March 1977 is shown below:
| Department of Energy contribution | |
| £ thousands | |
| Steel platforms | 1,966 |
| Concrete platforms | 274 |
| Industrial contribution | |
| Steel platforms | 2,290 |
| Concrete platforms | 788 |