Huw Irranca-Davies
Main Page: Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour - Ogmore)
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Last Thursday, a written statement on the fast-track solar photovoltaic review was quietly laid before the House. By Thursday evening we had been given the response. Gaynor Hartnell of the Renewable Energy Association said:
“The handling of this whole affair has been poor”.
Dave Sowden said:
“This is bad news for…worthwhile projects—schools, communities, public buildings.”
Friends of the Earth said:
“This consultation—
after which nothing changed—
“has been an utter farce—Ministers have completely ignored warnings from community groups”.
To make things worse, by Saturday there was an announcement in the Daily Mail that “Ministers plan an abrupt change of policy to rescue solar power jobs.” It was reported that the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker) had said:
“I am a big fan of solar energy. I believe it can have an important role in breaking the stranglehold of the Big Six energy companies.”
Out of respect to this House, which I know you hold most dear, Mr Speaker, and the necessity for policy announcements to be made in this Chamber, have you had a request for the Minister responsible for solar energy to appear before this House to explain, first, the review that never was, and secondly, the policy review change mooted over the weekend?