Malcolm Wicks (Minister of State (Energy), Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform; Croydon North, Labour)

It would be useful if I briefly introduce the clause. The clause gives the Secretary of State the power to appoint inspectors to inspect facilities used for carbon dioxide storage or related activities. It also gives the Secretary of State the power to issue regulations setting out the powers, for example, powers to enter premises, to carry out an investigation, to require information, and to take samples. The clause also sets out the duties of inspectors and other persons acting under the Secretary of State’s direction, for example surveyors or other contractors. As well as the facilities and assistance that must be offered to the inspectorate, the Secretary of State may also make payments to inspectors appointed under the clause, which will be of great relief to the inspectors who are employed. Inspection arrangements are an important means of ensuring the effectiveness of any licensing regime because they allow the regulatory authority to physically inspect the relevant premises and to ascertain compliance with the licence and other applicable regulatory provisions.