Oral Answers to Questions

David Jones Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mr Tom Harris. He is not here. I call Mr David Jones.

[Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)]

4. What assessment he has made of the potential contribution of tidal lagoons to the UK’s energy supply.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

I call Tom Harris. Sorry, I meant Mr David Jones. There is a similarity.

[Mr Jones]

Others have remarked upon it, Mr Speaker. It is good news that the Government are in discussions with the proposed developers of the Swansea tidal lagoon. Does my hon. Friend agree that proposals for a much larger lagoon at Colwyn bay also merit serious consideration? Does she also agree that a chain of lagoons along the west coast could make a huge contribution to British energy security?

[Amber Rudd]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that question. As he rightly says, tidal power provides a huge opportunity for the UK. My Department has started to explore the potential for a future lagoon programme and is aware of proposals for the tidal lagoons at Colwyn bay. Any such scheme will need to demonstrate strong evidence of value for money, economic benefits, energy saving and environmental impact mitigation before the Government could take a view on its potential, but I share his enthusiasm.