Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the Prime Minister’s Mansion House speech on 2 March, what assessment they have made of associate membership of EURATOM.
Answered by Lord Henley
In the Written Ministerial Statement on 11 January 2018, my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy stated that a close and effective association with Euratom will be sought as part of phase 2 of the exit negotiations with the European Union, and set out the UK’s specific objectives in this regard.
The Euratom Treaty does not provide for “associate membership” but does provide the Euratom Community with a number of powers to enter into legally binding agreements with third countries.
The Committee stage debate of the Nuclear Safeguards Bill held on 22 February 2018, (Official Report Vol 789, Col 301) provides the Government’s assessment of the relevant provisions in the Euratom Treaty.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to extending the existing renewable energy subsidy for offshore wind beyond October.
Answered by Lord Henley
The Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme closed to most new projects on 31 March 2017. Floating and demonstration offshore wind projects in Scotland have a grace period until 30 September 2018 to accredit under the scheme. Developers have known about this grace period since it was announced by the Scottish Government in 2013. The expiry dates are set out in legislation and we do not intend to extend them.
The RO is being replaced by the competitive 'Contracts for Difference' (CFD) support scheme. Innovative offshore wind projects are eligible to compete in the next CFD auction, planned for spring 2019. The scheme incentivises developers and the supply chain to innovate and continuously bear down on costs. This will allow the UK to produce more renewable energy at a significantly lower cost for consumers.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what they estimate will be the components of the UK’s energy mix in (1) 2030, and (2) 2050.
Answered by Lord Henley
The Climate Change Act requires the UK to reduce it emissions by at least 80% by 2050 and the recently set fifth carbon budget requires us to reduce our emissions in 2032 by 57%.
Meeting these targets will require changes to the UK’s energy mix and other sectors. The Clean Growth Strategy sets out one possible pathway to meeting our fifth carbon budget, and three illustrative pathways to 2050.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what role they see for small modular reactors in the UK’s future energy mix.
Answered by Lord Henley
Nuclear power currently meets c. 20% of the UK electricity demand and is an important part of the UK’s energy mix. Government has made clear its commitment that new nuclear power stations should have a role to play in this country’s future energy mix, alongside other low-carbon sources.
My hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for Energy and Industry announced at the Nuclear Industry Association conference on 7th December that up to £56m is being made available over the next 3 years for advanced nuclear technologies. This will include up to £44m R&D funding for developing advanced reactors and £12m to regulators to build the capability and capacity to assess and license new designs.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to introduce a dedicated body with responsibility for scrutinising those foreign investments which may impact on national security.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The Government published a Green Paper, ‘National Security and Infrastructure Investment Review’, on Tuesday 17 October setting out its review of current powers and how these might be amended in the short, and long, term to ensure national security is protected. The Government welcomes respondents’ views on its proposals and options for reform.
The Green Paper is available on Gov.uk and in the Libraries of the House.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what checks are in place to monitor the safeguarding of UK national security each time a foreign firm invests in the UK.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
Under the Enterprise Act 2002, the Government has powers to intervene in mergers on the grounds of national security. The Act sets out the processes which are followed in such cases.
More generally, the Government considers carefully any national security issues raised by foreign investments on a case by case basis.
The Government published a Green Paper, ‘National Security and Infrastructure Investment Review’, on Tuesday 17 October setting out its review of current powers and how these might be amended in the short, and long, term to ensure national security is protected. The Government welcomes respondents’ views on its proposals and options for reform.
The Green Paper is available on Gov.uk and in the Libraries of the House.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to produce a new Energy White Paper.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The Government has set a clear direction of travel on energy policy, through our legislative framework for reducing carbon emissions, by taking a range of key decisions including on Hinkley Point C and funding for renewable electricity, and by ensuring high levels of security through the capacity market.
Our Clean Growth Plan will set out proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy through the 2020s. We intend to publish that plan when Parliament sits again after summer recess. We are also committed to action to reduce the cost of energy, including tackling unfair practices in the energy market.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
Her Majesty's Government when they will publish their new Emissions Reduction Plan.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
We want the plan to be an ambitious, robust and clear blueprint for Britain’s low carbon future, and are working with colleagues across Government to ensure it meets these criteria.
We intend to publish the plan when Parliament sits again after summer recess.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to bring forward legislation to (1) treat non-fracking drilling as permitted development, (2) make major shale planning decisions the responsibility of the National Planning Regime, and (3) make changes to the proposed Shale Wealth Fund, as outlined in the 2017 Conservative Party manifesto.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The Government has been recently elected and its approach to implementing the manifesto proposals has yet to be finalised.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to continue to support the development of shale gas in the UK.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
Shale gas could create a new British industry, provide more jobs and make us less reliant on imports from abroad. The UK Government continues to support shale exploration to determine the potential of the industry. However, we are clear, shale gas operations will only take place in a manner which is safe for the environment and local communities.