To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to (a) the energy values required to manufacture waste derived fuel and refuse derived fuel and (b) the balance between the energy required and energy produced by the various types of fuel.

Waste and refuse derived fuels produce typically just over five times more energy than is used in their production, although this figure will depend on the particular process involved.The less highly refined forms of refuse derived fuel and fuels derived from commercial and general industrial wastes are even more attractive as they require less energy in production. The energy inputs required to produce other fuels will depend on the circumstances of their production.