Funding for the Scottish wave power industry

Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh, North and Leith) (Lab/Co-op):
My right hon. Friend will be aware of the burgeoning wave power industry in Scotland and he will know that it was very pleased when, after quite some delay, the European Union approved the Department of Trade and Industry scheme to support marine technology such as wave power. However, the industry is concerned that decisions on allocating the funding that has been approved will not be made until January at the earliest. Will my right hon. Friend encourage speedy decision making by the DTI to support that important industry, which has so much potential for Scotland and the entire UK?

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Alistair Darling): My hon. Friend is right that the European Commission has only just cleared that funding for state aid purposes. I am told that the DTI expects to ask for bids in the first quarter of next year. I do not know whether anything can be done to bring that forward, but I shall find out and write to my hon. Friend.