asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he now expects to receive the final report of the Severn tidal power group; how much public funding has been committed to this investigation; and if he will make a statement.

The Severn tidal power group expects to produce its report towards the end of 1988. The study is expected to cost £4·26 million and the cost is being shared equally between the Severn tidal power group, the Central Electricity Generating Board and my Department.