Energy Bill
Public Bill Committees, 4 March 2008
Charles Hendry (Shadow Minister, Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform; Wealden, Conservative)
On a point of order, Mr. Amess. The Committee will remember that last week we had a debate on feed-in tariffs. In the course of that debate, the Minister gave a robust defence of why the Government were not looking at feed-in tariffs and said that they would consult on that, among other issues, in the summer. However, it was suggested in the press over the weekend that the Chancellor is planning to announce feed-in tariffs as part of his Budget submission. I wonder whether the Minister has indicated to you, Mr. Amess, any desire to clarify the Government’s position, as it now appears from the press reports that we were inadvertently misled in our discussions last week.
David Amess (Southend West, Conservative)
I have listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman has said. The Minister has not indicated that he wishes to make any specific statement, so we shall let the matter rest there. Perhaps the Minister will reflect on what the hon. Gentleman has said.