To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to the Memorandum of Understanding on renewable energy trade agreed between the UK and Ireland in January 2013, what progress has been made on reaching an intergovernmental agreement with Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to the Memorandum of Understanding on renewable energy trade agreed between the UK and Ireland in January 2013, what progress has been made on reaching an intergovernmental agreement with Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when she plans to publish her Department's response to the consultation on a review of the feed-in tariff scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when she plans to publish her Department's response to the consultation on a review of the feed-in tariff scheme.

I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Braintree (James Cleverly) for an excellent maiden speech. He will clearly contribute well, in the years ahead of us, to the business of this House. It was very good indeed. I also pay tribute to all those who have made their maiden...

I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Braintree (James Cleverly) for an excellent maiden speech. He will clearly contribute well, in the years ahead of us, to the business of this House. It was very good indeed. I also pay tribute to all those who have made their maiden...

I thank the hon. Lady. I agree that we need to find cross-party agreement on major, substantial issues to drive this forward and support leadership at a global and a UK level. There will be differences, and we will have to argue out those differences, but we need to focus...

I thank the hon. Lady. I agree that we need to find cross-party agreement on major, substantial issues to drive this forward and support leadership at a global and a UK level. There will be differences, and we will have to argue out those differences, but we need to focus...

Labour has called consistently for the devolution of energy consents for projects of up to 100 MW. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) for the amendment, which was not supported by the Government, that he tabled to the Energy Bill. Why are the Government opposed to the devolution of energy, which would allow the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales to make their own decisions on energy and renewable energy in particular?

Labour has called consistently for the devolution of energy consents for projects of up to 100 MW. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) for the amendment, which was not supported by the Government, that he tabled to the Energy Bill. Why are the Government opposed to the devolution of energy, which would allow the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales to make their own decisions on energy and renewable energy in particular?

How many of today’s announcements and the many re-announcements are in response to real tragedies for the economy, such as RWE’s decision to walk away from a potential £4 billion investment in the Atlantic array, which would have brought much-needed jobs? Has the Chief Secretary had discussions with RWE on...

How many of today’s announcements and the many re-announcements are in response to real tragedies for the economy, such as RWE’s decision to walk away from a potential £4 billion investment in the Atlantic array, which would have brought much-needed jobs? Has the Chief Secretary had discussions with RWE on...

rose—

rose—

Will the Minister give way?

Will the Minister give way?

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of farmers are involved in renewable energy production.

[111980]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of farmers are involved in renewable energy production.

[111980]

I welcome the Secretary of State to his post, in which he has the opportunity to set a new course for the Government. May I suggest constructively that, first, he needs to give certainty to green investors, big and small? The Government have shaken that certainty—he should not listen to...

I welcome the Secretary of State to his post, in which he has the opportunity to set a new course for the Government. May I suggest constructively that, first, he needs to give certainty to green investors, big and small? The Government have shaken that certainty—he should not listen to...

The last fast-track of the solar feed-in tariff was derided because nothing—I repeat, nothing—changed as a result of the consultation. This consultation will end after the date of the start of the new scheme. May I ask the Minister, in all seriousness, what impact assessment he has made in relation...

The last fast-track of the solar feed-in tariff was derided because nothing—I repeat, nothing—changed as a result of the consultation. This consultation will end after the date of the start of the new scheme. May I ask the Minister, in all seriousness, what impact assessment he has made in relation...

Unallotted opposition day debate (part two). Closure motion. Agreed to on question. Main question negatived on division (222 to 302).

Unallotted opposition day debate (part two). Closure motion. Agreed to on question. Main question negatived on division (222 to 302).

This has been a very good debate in which Members in all parts of the House have made powerful and passionate points. One powerful point made by the Minister, with which I strongly agreed, concerned the welcome news of the publication of the national ecosystems services. I know that he...

This has been a very good debate in which Members in all parts of the House have made powerful and passionate points. One powerful point made by the Minister, with which I strongly agreed, concerned the welcome news of the publication of the national ecosystems services. I know that he...

Will the Minister give way?

Will the Minister give way?

I thank the Minister for giving way so early on. Will he correct the supposition of the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart) that the previous Government said anything about cutting flood defence spending? We did not say that. I shall put that on the record again. The...

I thank the Minister for giving way so early on. Will he correct the supposition of the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart) that the previous Government said anything about cutting flood defence spending? We did not say that. I shall put that on the record again. The...

On naked cucumbers? [Interruption.]

On naked cucumbers? [Interruption.]

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on what dates he informed representatives of the solar industry of proposed changes to support for solar feed-in tariff project extensions built within 12 months of the review start date of August 2011; and when he expects such changes...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on what dates he informed representatives of the solar industry of proposed changes to support for solar feed-in tariff project extensions built within 12 months of the review start date of August 2011; and when he expects such changes...

Draft Modifications to the Standard Conditions of Electricity Supply Licences. Considered by Delegated Legislation Committee. Agreed to on division (9 votes to 9, with the Chair having the casting vote for the Ayes). (vote).

Draft Modifications to the Standard Conditions of Electricity Supply Licences. Considered by Delegated Legislation Committee. Agreed to on division (9 votes to 9, with the Chair having the casting vote for the Ayes). (vote).

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consultation he plans to hold on the organisations that will administer (a) feed-in tariff contracts for difference and (b) capacity mechanisms contracts; and whether such proposals will be published before 31 December 2011.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consultation he plans to hold on the organisations that will administer (a) feed-in tariff contracts for difference and (b) capacity mechanisms contracts; and whether such proposals will be published before 31 December 2011.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what reasons his Department did not secure state aid approval in time to implement an increase in the level of financial support available to anaerobic digestion plants on 1 August 2011, as outlined in the consultation on the...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what reasons his Department did not secure state aid approval in time to implement an increase in the level of financial support available to anaerobic digestion plants on 1 August 2011, as outlined in the consultation on the...