Oral Answers to Questions

Karl Turner Excerpts

Thursday 10th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am very grateful.

[Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab)]

5. What recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on attracting private sector investment into low-carbon technologies.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)]

Ministers in DECC have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues right across the coalition on new ways in which Government can attract private sector investment in low-carbon technologies. This includes discussions on the potential form and functions of Europe’s first green investment bank as part of the coalition Government’s comprehensive commitment to an ambitious green growth agenda.

[Karl Turner]

I am sure that the Minister will join me in congratulating the previous Labour Government on the work that they did to encourage E.ON and Siemens to invest in my constituency. Will he ensure that the Government continue that support and build on Labour’s success?

[Gregory Barker]

We are determined to transform the level of green growth in this country, and certainly on the level that we inherited from the last Labour Government. It is instructive that in the offshore wind industry, 80% of those huge installations, on average, were contracted and manufactured abroad under Labour. That has to change; we need the investment and supply chain here in Great Britain.