Oral Answers to Questions

Charles Hendry Excerpts

Thursday 1st November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

What the right hon. Lady did not say is that in the renewables banding review that we announced in July, which was warmly welcomed across the industry, we set the support levels until 2017 and sent a very strong signal to investors in the sector. She also did not tell the House what the Prime Minister said yesterday in supporting my position that the renewables policy has not changed. The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State are at one on this. We will continue with our renewables policy; it has not been changed.

[Charles Hendry (Wealden) (Con)]

Is the Secretary of State aware that oil and gas-rich countries such as Norway, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan recognise that an integral part of their energy security is the development of their own renewable resources, including onshore wind? If it is right for them, it must be right for us as well. He has given us clarity on long-term nuclear policy, developed on both sides of the House over a number of years. Will he now continue his work to deliver exactly the same clarity for investors in other low-carbon technologies such as renewables, because vital long-term investment decisions are being made now and people need that clarity?

[Mr Davey]

If I may, Mr Speaker, I should like to pay tribute to the great work that my hon. Friend did at the Department in a whole range of sectors and thank him for the support he gave me. He is absolutely right that countries around the world, even those that are richer in oil and gas supplies than ours, are investing in renewable energy, and I think we should continue with that. We should make it clear that this is one of the best places in the world to invest in renewable energy.