Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Caroline Lucas Excerpts
Tuesday 14th May 2013

(11 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Danny Alexander Portrait Danny Alexander
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I strongly welcome that report. The Government have already introduced a package of measures, including start-up loans to support new small businesses. Lord Young has presented his findings to the Government and we will respond in due course.

Caroline Lucas Portrait Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green)
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Given the increasing evidence, such as last month’s Carbon Tracker report, showing that so-called unburnable carbon assets pose a serious risk to the financial system, will the Minister look seriously at the proposal that companies should be required to disclose the carbon emissions potential of their fossil fuel assets?

Greg Clark Portrait Greg Clark
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The first requirement is to assess the risk that the hon. Lady has described, and it is for the Bank of England to consider the systemic consequences. Should the Financial Policy Committee of the Bank of England conclude that investment in high-carbon assets poses a risk, it would have to report and explain that risk in its financial stability report.