Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Trade and Investment
Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Marland
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what trade and investment successes were achieved as a result of contacts with representatives of Governments attending the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Lord Marland)
My Lords, during the 2012 Games, UK Trade and Investment ran an extensive business programme at the British Business Embassy at Lancaster House. The programme specifically targeted UK and international companies and is expected to deliver £1 billion of additional sales to the UK companies that attended the British Business Embassy. We will report progress in April 2013. The Olympics also gave an opportunity for Ministers to build good relationships intergovernmentally with our cross-party people to benefit trade.
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
My Lords, that is a very welcome and encouraging response. However, does the Minister share my concern and alarm at reports today that the consulate in Basra is to be closed? It is a centre of British influence that is vital for British investment. Will he inform the House whether these reports are true and, if they are, will he seek to have that very unwise decision reversed as quickly as possible?
Lord Marland
I can confirm that reports about that decision are true. The decision was made after a lot of business plan reviews, which one would expect from any government organisation. Things have improved dramatically out there. It used to take 48 hours to get from Baghdad to Basra; it now takes an hour by plane, so it is much easier to get to. As regards the future in that part of the world, we believe that we should have an office in Erbil for the Kurdistan region and boost our office in Baghdad. This is being done with great consideration and I think that the noble Lord will be able to see the effects of it later.
Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2012
Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Marland
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
My Lords, I noticed that the last three of these statutory instruments start with the words “Green Deal”. I wonder if I am being overoptimistic in anticipating that the Minister of State for Trade and Investment will come along and speak to one of them.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Marland)
Well, I wish the noble Lord a very good Summer Recess as well. We had an extensive debate in Committee; the noble Baroness sadly was not available to be part of it. It was very satisfactory and as always I have responded in writing to the questions which sometimes, and almost often, I cannot answer. The noble Baroness knows I am committed to that and the process is in train. As to the Statement today, good news, which I am glad noble Lords welcome, should always be given at every opportunity so that everybody can go away for a wonderful Summer Recess and enjoy themselves with that good news.
Energy: Gas
Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Marland
Lord Marland
As my noble friend says, no one knows. The British Geological Survey’s latest report, which we await with bated breath, will be very indicative.
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
Given that the gas is coming from countries that are not the most stable in the world, that the nuclear power programme is falling behind, as we heard in reply to the earlier Question, that the BP oil deal with Russia is in great difficulties, as we have heard today, and that our largest oil refinery is facing closure, is the Minister not being just a little complacent?
Lord Marland
I might be many things, but I do not think that the noble Lord will find me being complacent. I do not agree with him that gas is coming from unsafe places. Twenty per cent of our gas comes from Norway, with which I think we would all agree we have a safe and clear relationship; 5% to 10% comes from the Netherlands, with which we have another strong relationship; and, of course, 50% is from our own supply. We are not being complacent. We have given planning permission for another 20% of storage. We have made sure that our LNG stations are the best in the world. Ofgem is continually on the case in its work, and our gas generation strategy, which we hope to announce in the autumn, will be a fundamental game changer in that regard.