Clause 2
Energy Bill
9:15 am
Malcolm Wicks (Minister of State (Energy), Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform; Croydon North, Labour)
Again, I thank the hon. Gentleman for notice of that question. We are fully aware of the environmental considerations, and I may say a little more about the subject later. However, just as in existing regimes for the exploration of oil and gas, environmental considerations are paramount. We are confident that through these provisions we can satisfy the hon. Gentleman. I am bound to say that all our constituencies are areas of outstanding natural beauty, and that is certainly true of Croydon, North.