Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fallon and Martin Vickers

Thursday 26th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fallon]

Yes, I absolutely agree. I thank my hon. Friend and his colleagues for their input into the Cumbria economic plan. I saw that close working for myself when I chaired the recent Cumbria forum on advanced manufacturing.

[Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)]

Regional growth is dependent on good transport connections, and there has been widespread concern in northern Lincolnshire among the business community about the threat to services on the south transpennine line. Will the Minister agree to meet a delegation of business leaders from northern Lincolnshire to discuss that and other issues?

[Michael Fallon]

I am very happy to meet any delegation of business leaders with my hon. Friend. I am not the Minister for rail transport, but I shall certainly refer the issue to the Department for Transport, and I am happy to have the meeting that my hon. Friend requests.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fallon and Martin Vickers

Thursday 3rd April 2014 Commons Chamber

[Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)]

Despite much positive news in recent weeks, Ministers will be aware of the concern in the Yorkshire and Humber region following the decision in the recent funding round not to support Eggborough in converting to biomass. Will the Minister update the House on the future of biomass generation?

[Michael Fallon]

Biomass generation is one of the technologies that is receiving support under our final investment decision renewables round. We had some 16 applications, which include biomass generation, and we hope to be able to confirm the first investment contracts under that regime this month.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fallon and Martin Vickers

Thursday 27th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fallon]

The new code that we have agreed with the industry gives those customers more protection than they have had in the past. We are looking at the operation of the code this winter, and we will review how effective it has been when we hold the next ministerial round table in May.

[Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)]

13. What steps he is taking to ensure that energy suppliers check the accuracy of meters.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Michael Fallon)]

Energy suppliers are required to investigate if a customer suspects that their energy meter is not recording consumption accurately. Under Ofgem’s standards of conduct, that must be carried out in an honest, transparent and professional manner. If necessary, a consumer can request that the meter be independently tested by a meter examiner appointed by the National Measurement Office.

[Martin Vickers]

What the Minister has outlined does not appear to have happened in the case of a customer working in my constituency to whom npower recently agreed to give a rebate of £2,548. He is a professional man who is well able to go through the time-consuming process and to afford the £96 fee he had to pay, but the process would have been a challenge for a more vulnerable customer. To add insult to injury, three months after the rebate was agreed, he still has not received his refund. What can be done to improve this unacceptable situation?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fallon and Martin Vickers

Thursday 21st March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)]

11. What support his Department is providing to encourage investment and growth in north and north-east Lincolnshire authority areas.

[The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Michael Fallon)]

North and north-east Lincolnshire are benefiting from over £41 million of Government investment from the regional growth fund, including the £30 million Humber local enterprise partnership that I launched in February with my hon. Friend, which will support businesses in his constituency. The Humber has also secured the largest enterprise zone allocation in England—1,200 acres over two sites—which will help to support the development of the offshore renewable industry in both north and north-east Lincolnshire.

[Martin Vickers]

We obviously welcome the Government’s continuing support and any further initiatives. To emphasise that Cleethorpes is a good place to start businesses, today is the fifth anniversary of the launch of the Cleethorpes Chronicle by two local businessmen. Does the Minister agree that if people show determination and enthusiasm and have a quality product, it is appropriate to start a business, even in these difficult times, as we have seen with the success of the Cleethorpes Chronicle?

[Michael Fallon]

I congratulate the Cleethorpes Chronicle on reaching that milestone and we should send our best wishes to Nigel Lowther, Mark Webb and the team. It is a great local paper, committed to the community and the businesses that it serves.