Energy Costs for Businesses

Debate between Baroness Finlay of Llandaff and Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

Tuesday 17th December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

My Lords, I think there is rather something in what my noble friend says. We inherited a parlous situation in relation to the public finances and a failure to invest in essential infrastructure. One example was their dithering about nuclear power. Not one nuclear power station came close to being opened in 14 years under the last Administration.

[Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (CB)]

My Lords, following the discussions about tidal power, what discussions have been had with the Welsh Government about using the very high tides in the Severn estuary? Linked to that, what discussions have been had with the Scottish Government about the potential for hydro-electric power?

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

My Lords, right at the start of our new Government’s Administration, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister signalled that we wanted to reset relationships with the devolved Governments. That is happening. We are in regular discussion with the devolved Governments on energy policies. In the Great British Energy Bill, the consultation requirements are set out in relation to those countries.

Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL]

Debate between Baroness Finlay of Llandaff and Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

Committee stage
Wednesday 27th November 2024 Grand Committee

[Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (CB)]

I am most grateful to the Minister for having such an open door in discussing these issues. I may be wrong, but I understood from the London Fire Brigade that, although its collection of data is comprehensive, other fire brigades around the country do not feed in in the same way. We also have the issue of devolved responsibilities in the devolved nations. Therefore, there is a need to clarify data sharing. I wonder whether we might need to go over this in order to be clear in regulation that some incidents are notifiable.

In responding, the Minister referred to carbon monoxide, which is a colourless gas that does not smell but that can, at high levels, kill you in three minutes. Carbon monoxide deaths are still occurring in this country because of faulty boilers, gas cookers and so on; they are also caused by faulty vehicles when exhaust fumes leak. I understand that we cannot have regulation that includes notifying absolutely everything, but we need further debate on where to draw the line in terms of what becomes notifiable and what is not. It is about an assessment of risk of harm, perhaps.

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

On carbon monoxide, one of the issues concerns medical certificates and cause of death; there is a big problem because, often, carbon monoxide poisoning is not mentioned. The argument is that there is nothing in this legislation that precludes taking action in the way the noble Baroness wants us to take action. The question is whether the noble Baroness’s amendment is proportionate; we can have a further discussion about that.

[Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (CB)]

I completely accept that it is about what is and is not included. I recall having learned, on many occasions, the danger of having lists in legislation, because there is always something that has not been included, which becomes a tension. I look forward to further discussion. I am most grateful to others for supporting these amendments and recognising their importance. In the meantime, I beg leave to withdraw Amendment 23.