asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are his proposals for future funding of research into photovoltaic renewable energy sources.

Support for the exploitation of the market for photovoltaic technology rests with the Department of Trade and Industry, which is providing assistance for industrial innovation in photovoltaics as well as advice and assistance to British firms under its various development and export-related schemes.My Department does, however, consider that photovoltaic technology is unlikely to be economic for electricity generation in this country because of our climatic conditions, but recognises that there is a growing export market.