Oral Answers to Questions

Richard Burgon Excerpts

Wednesday 19th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

I thought that the hon. Gentleman liked independent processes and that is what is running now.

[Richard Burgon (Leeds East) (Lab)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

[The COP26 President (Alok Sharma)]

I have just concluded constructive visits to Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, the respective holders of COP27 and COP28. I met a range of Government Ministers and businesses, and we agreed that we would work closely to ensure the lasting impact of climate negotiations and other climate commitments made in Glasgow.

[Richard Burgon]

Just days after the Glasgow COP ended, Tory Ministers were wining and dining with senior fossil fuel executives, including from Shell and BP, apparently to urge them to keep on drilling for oil and gas in the North sea. As COP President, does he not agree that, instead of being in the pockets of fossil fuel giants, Ministers should be following the United Nations’ call for an end to all new fossil fuel projects—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Topicals are meant to be short and quick. You cannot have a full statement—other people have got to get in.