If she will make a statement on the outcomes of the climate change talks in Montreal.

The outcomes of the conference in Montreal are hugely significant. The Kyoto parties agreed to launch a process for agreeing new greenhouse gas targets beyond 2012 and all parties agreed to review the framework convention with a view to ensuring a truly global effort to tackle climate change. The Kyoto protocol was strengthened with the adoption of the Marrakesh accords compliance mechanism and greater support for the Kyoto mechanisms.

May I add my congratulations to the Secretary of State on her skill and leadership in negotiating in Montreal and on the very successful outcome? My hon. Friend the Minister heard today of the 50 dirty coal power stations being built in China per annum. Does he agree that one EU demonstration plant for clean coal technology is insufficient in the light of those emissions? Does he have any plans for bilateral technology exchange with China and will he look to the Export Credits Guarantee Department to see what help can be given to UK industry, which is now a leader in this field?

It is certainly true, given China's energy demands, that one clean coal plant is not enough, so I entirely accept my hon. Friend's point. We are co-operating with the Chinese on a range of issues—biomass, waste collection and renewable energies, for example—and other European countries also have co-operation programmes with China. There is no doubt that, although China wants to combat poverty through economic growth, which we can all understand, it recognises the great implications of climate change in terms of air quality, water shortage and floods. Those issues are as important to the Chinese Government as they are to all Governments throughout the world, which is why we believe that such co-operation will be extended and that China is serious about tackling climate change.

On climate change, does the Minister agree with his noble Friend Lord Sainsbury, who suggested that new nuclear is now the new green energy?

The hon. Gentleman should ask Zac Goldsmith, who is a member of his own party's working group, whether he agrees with that. The Prime Minister has announced an energy review, which is the responsible and sensible way forward. We need to look at this country's long-term energy demands and at energy efficiency, the range of energy mixes and the costs associated with the various energy generation options. The review will answer some of those questions.

My hon. Friend will know that some of the biggest challenges that lie ahead relate to constraining emissions in the transport sector. What are the prospects of achieving all-party consensus on the greater use of environmental taxation as a means of reducing transport emissions? Does he think that the basis exists for a consensus on a more progressive form of taxation to deal with gas-guzzling 4x4 vehicles, which would be hugely popular with the 95 per cent. of the population who do not drive 4x4s?

It is not just 4x4s that guzzle gas. Other models also do so, but I understand my hon. Friend's point. If we are going to have a consensus—there are good arguments for having one—there are some difficult issues that we have to address. For example, with rising world fuel prices and with some people taking to the streets and putting up blockades, we need to argue the case for achieving the right balance of environmental taxation to reflect the environmental impact of road transport, rather than trying to get a few populist headlines by talking about cutting fuel duty, given the chance to do so. The opportunity exists for all parties to address these issues, including differential rates of taxation, in a mature and sensible way. I look forward to that debate.