Energy Bill

Baroness Laing of Elderslie Excerpts

Wednesday 4th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Earlier today the Chief Secretary to the Treasury made a statement to the House about infrastructure spending. The Government have also been briefing about the sale of significant public sector assets. The list of things that might be sold includes Eurostar, the Royal Mint and Channel 4, and yet the Government have not produced a document. Is that in order? Could you advise us, Madam Deputy Speaker, on how we might get a full list, rather than the think-tank report, “Cash in the attic”, which seems wholly inappropriate?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing)]

The hon. Lady has made her point and I am sure that those whom she wishes to have heard it have done so, but she will appreciate that it is not a matter with which the Chair can deal at this moment in the Chamber.

Clause 1

Decarbonisation target range

[Michael Fallon]

I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendment 1.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing)]

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:

Lords amendments 2 to 75.

Lords amendment 76, and amendment (a) thereto.

Lords amendments 77 to 86.

Lords amendment 87, and amendments (a), (g) and (b) to (f) thereto.

Lords amendments 88 to 104.

Lords amendments 106 to 113.

[Michael Fallon]

As you have said, Madam Deputy Speaker, there are many amendments in this group and I will try to be as brief as possible in explaining each set.

The first set, amendments 1 to 15 and amendment 90, extend the decarbonisation provisions to Northern Ireland in order that any decarbonisation target range would cover the whole of the UK power sector. That was always our intention, but it was right that we should seek the agreement of the Northern Ireland Executive before making these amendments. The Assembly has since passed a legislative consent motion to confirm its support.

Turning to part 2 of the Bill, Lords amendments 25, 27 and 29 give effect to three substantive changes to contracts for difference. The remaining amendments on this topic—amendments 16, 19, 22, 23, 26, 28 and 30 to 34—are consequential.

--- Later in debate ---

Lords amendment 1 agreed to.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing)]

With the leave of the House, we shall take amendments 2 to 86 together.

[Mr Weir]

Object.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

We will take amendments 2 to 53.

Lords amendments 2 to 53 agreed to.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

The question is that the House agrees with the Lords in their amendment 54. As many as are of that opinion say Aye.

[Hon. Members]

Aye.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

As many as are of that opinion say No.

[Hon. Members]

No.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

The Ayes have it.

Lords amendment 54 agreed to.

Lords amendments 55 to 86 agreed to.

After Clause 1

Fuel poverty

Amendment (g) proposed to Lords amendment 87.—(Jonathan Reynolds.)

Question put, That the amendment be made.