Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Charles Hendry and Nigel Adams

Thursday 20th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Charles Hendry]

This issue is more acute in Northern Ireland than any other part of the country. Many more consumers are off-grid in Northern Ireland than elsewhere. This issue therefore has a particular resonance there. The OFT investigation established that 97% of consumers have access to at least four independent providers—“independent” being the critical word. The OFT is prepared to look again at examples of consumers not having access to a sufficient number of operators. In addition, where there is a potential takeover, the OFT will require it to be investigated if it appears to be uncompetitive.

[Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) (Con)]

3. What mechanism his Department has put in place to learn lessons on the safety of coal mining following recent deaths of miners.

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[Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) (Con)]

Will the Minister update the House on the progress being made by the Government on the renewable heat incentive?

[Charles Hendry]

The renewable heat incentive, as my hon. Friend will be aware, is a world beater and a new approach on which we are very glad to lead. We have taken it forward for commercial industrial premises. There has been a challenge from the European Commission that we are in the process of sorting out, and we are finalising the details for the domestic sector because we recognise that it is an important way of encouraging people to consider alternative ways of heating their homes.