Clause 88 - Application of civil law to renewable energy installations etc.
Energy Bill [Lords]
3:30 pm
Mr Michael Weir (Spokesperson (Environment & Food; Health; Rural Affairs; Trade & Industry); Angus, Scottish National Party)
I will not attempt to answer the hon. Gentleman's question, as there is much confusion over jurisdiction. I do not fully understand what the hon. Member for Vale of York is getting at in amendment No. 160, which states:
''Enforcement of civil law on offshore renewable energy installations . . . will be the responsibility of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.''
The civil law, according to my recollection, covers a vast area, including contractual obligations and other disputes that could well arise in respect of the installations in a renewable energy zone. It is not clear to me where the Maritime and Coastguard Agency comes into the matter in respect of civil law. Many of the matters in question would have to be decided, I think, by courts of law on land—either in Scotland, England or wherever the relevant court was sitting—which brings us back to the lack of certainty on that aspect of the matter.
Perhaps the hon. Lady will sum up and explain the role of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in civil law, as opposed to the enforcement of criminal
sanction. I can perceive a role in criminal law, but I am less sure where a civil law role would arise for that agency in relation to offshore installations.