Oral Answers to Questions

Laura Sandys Excerpts

Thursday 16th September 2010 Commons Chamber

[Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (Con)]

11. What progress he has made on bringing forward proposals for reform of energy markets to improve security of supply.

[Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con)]

12. What progress he has made on bringing forward proposals for reform of energy markets to improve security of supply.

--- Later in debate ---

[Charles Hendry]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we have to look at each proposed site, location by location. We have to be satisfied about the security and safety of each location, but there is no doubt that we have historically had low levels of gas storage compared with other European countries, and we are keen to address that as well as looking at issues such as long-term contracts and more pipeline interconnections, which all have an important part to play in this process.

[Laura Sandys]

Does Russia’s withdrawal from the energy charter treaty cause the Minister concern about the United Kingdom’s longer term energy security?

[Charles Hendry]

Ministers have to be much more engaged in this process than has historically been the case. We have to have Ministers who are prepared to go around the world to identify long-term contracts and to secure those agreements in the interests of our long-term energy security. We are keen to have a relationship with Russia that is active and business-based. We think Russia can enhance our security. We are also keen to work with other European countries to identify the pressure points and to find new routes to market, and we are actively engaging with our European counterparts to achieve that.