Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – in the House of Commons at 10:30 am on 1 February 2007.
Andrew Slaughter
PPS (Dr Stephen Ladyman, Minister of State), Department for Transport
10:30,
1 February 2007
What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry regarding support for the development in the UK of emerging technologies for offshore forms of renewable energy.
Ian Pearson
Minister of State (Climate Change and the Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to discuss policies, such as support for offshore wind, marine and tidal renewable energy, where DTI and DEFRA both have a key role to play in their successful delivery.
Andrew Slaughter
PPS (Dr Stephen Ladyman, Minister of State), Department for Transport
While it takes an especially strong sea breeze to blow in Shepherd's Bush, many of my constituents are rightly concerned about maximising renewable energy sources and minimising their fuel Bills. What plans does my hon. Friend have to reform the renewables obligation and what effect is that likely to have on energy prices?
Ian Pearson
Minister of State (Climate Change and the Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
My hon. Friend is right to be concerned about energy Bills. Reducing them through reduced consumption is a key element in achieving our target of cutting CO2 emissions by 60 per cent. by 2050. Renewable energy is another option, and some of the new developments of the south-east coast are very important. Renewable energy is a key part of the Government's long-term plans for reducing CO2 emissions. We believe that the renewable obligation can reduce emissions substantially: we are currently consulting on how it should be banded and hope to be able to say more in the energy white paper to be published shortly.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
A proposal for new legislation that is debated by Parliament.
A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.
More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper
