Ukraine: Gas Supplies

Lord Stoddart of Swindon Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd April 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Verma]

My Lords, there is no division on shale. There was a decision taken by the coalition Government to support a diverse range of energy supply, so I reassure the noble Lord that there is no dissent in government on this issue.

[Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Ind Lab)]

My Lords, we have been hearing a great deal about the massive coal supplies which are available off the north-east coast of this country, which would give this country energy independence for hundreds of years. Would it not be as well to find ways in which this resource could be used, on a green basis, by gasification or other means?

[Baroness Verma]

My Lords, the noble Lord is of course aware that the Government have invested £1 billion to ensure that CCS projects go forward. However, the Government have no plans to re-evaluate the role of coal in the UK’s energy mix.