Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Charles Hendry and Lilian Greenwood

Thursday 24th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab)]

2. What steps he is taking to provide funding for further carbon capture and storage demonstration projects.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Charles Hendry)]

We remain committed to providing public investment for four carbon capture and storage projects and last year announced up to £1 billion for the capital costs of the first project. Decisions on the provision of funding for further projects will be subject to receiving suitable proposals from industry and considerations on value for money and affordability. As the Chancellor announced yesterday, the funding will be provided from general taxation.

[Lilian Greenwood]

I thank the Minister for that response. Last week, I met young research scientists from the university of Nottingham who were undertaking exciting research into carbon capture and storage. Without detail and clarity on future projects, however, the UK could lose the opportunity to be a world leader in this vital technology, so what is the timetable and the guaranteed funding for demonstration projects 2, 3 and 4?