Gas-fired Power Stations

Debate between Bob Blackman and Graham Stuart

Wednesday 13th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

Across London and the south-east, many much-needed developments that are required for the increasing population have literally been frozen because of a lack of supply from the grid. Nuclear power can provide the baseload; renewables are unreliable, and obviously gas is required at peak times in particular. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this is all about topping up the grid at peak times, when people want to use electricity, because gas is the fastest way to bring a power station on to the grid and is also the fastest to shut down?

[Graham Stuart]

My hon. Friend will be aware of all the work we are doing to speed up transmission. We are halving the timeline from 12 to 14 years to seven, and the connections action plan has already moved forward connection dates for projects amounting to 40 GW. We are putting in a lot of work across the piece. This gas capability is there as a back-up, but the usage and the emissions resulting from it will fall precipitately over the next 10 years, and we can all celebrate that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bob Blackman and Graham Stuart

Thursday 25th April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

T6. This afternoon the Confederation of Indian Industry will host a major conference to allow the regions of the United Kingdom to pitch to the states of India for future international trade. What action is my hon. Friend taking to encourage the regions to pitch for business in India?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade (Graham Stuart)]

According to an EY report, foreign direct investment has tended to move out of London into other parts of the United Kingdom, and there has been an increase in manufacturing activity. We are seeking to expand exports from all parts of the country, not least to India, and I am delighted to say that exports to India were up by nearly 20% in 2018. Only last night I attended the Grant Thornton tracker event with Mr Banerjee, the director general of the Confederation of Indian Industry, who is a great friend to this country and to our businesses up and down the land.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bob Blackman and Graham Stuart

Thursday 7th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stuart]

We work very closely with that Department. I would not say I am a natural industrial strategy sort of person, but the grand challenges have identified the big issues facing not only this country but humanity. By channelling our limited resources to those who make the most difference, we can support areas, not least agritech, in which Northern Ireland is a global leader.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

4. What recent assessment he has made of the potential for a preferential trade agreement with India.