Energy: Biofuels

Debate between Earl Cathcart and Earl Attlee

Wednesday 27th March 2013 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

I agree with much of what the noble Lord says. There are what are termed “advanced biofuels”, which do not have a land-take impact—certainly not in terms of taking land out of agricultural use or requiring a reduction in rainforest. Moreover, they do not have an impact on food production. Consideration is being given to greater incentives for the production of advanced biofuels.

[Earl Cathcart]

My Lords, will increasing the use of biofuels increase or decrease the price at the pumps?

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, my noble friend asks an important question. The obligation system increases the price of fuel at the pump. It is, in effect, a hidden subsidy, and it works in a very similar way to the renewables obligation for electric power.

Local Government Bill [HL]

Debate between Earl Cathcart and Earl Attlee

Wednesday 14th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Earl Cathcart]

My Lords, I was not intending to speak on this amendment but I think that I have Mr Justice Ouseley’s judgment, and I believe that one or two other noble Lords have all 106 paragraphs of it as well.

[Earl Attlee]

We are on Report.

[Baroness Hollis of Heigham]

We are not; we are in Committee.