Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 1st November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Gregory Barker]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I encourage Members to look closely at the question on the Order Paper, and to frame their supplementary questions accordingly?

[Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) (LD)]

4. What his policy is on subsidising new nuclear power stations; and if he will make a statement.

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[Sandra Osborne (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab)]

When the Minister addressed 400—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Lady has tabled Question 10 and must ask that first.

[Sandra Osborne (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab)]

10. What recent assessment he has made of levels of investment in clean energy infrastructure.

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[Mr Hayes]

I know of the hon. Gentleman’s commitment to manufacturing, not only during his time as a Parliamentary Private Secretary but in the work he has done in his constituency and more widely, particularly in the automotive sector.

Just yesterday, I was in discussion with colleagues at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills about this precise matter of ensuring an adequate supply of training and skills to meet the demand of the energy sector. There is more to be done, but it will be achieved best by the expression of that demand in stimulating the right kind of supply—from trainers, further education, higher education and elsewhere. It is about not just new entrants, but upskilling and reskilling too.

[Mr Speaker]

We are getting a very full insight into the Minister’s working week, for which I am sure we are all extremely grateful.

[Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)]

Alstom, a major Stafford manufacturer, has just announced a welcome investment in tidal energy. Will the Minister please update us on the potential for tidal energy and associated manufacturing in the UK?

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[Mr Davey]

I am sorry if I have disappointed my hon. Friend by my presence at the Dispatch Box. She will know that Ministers do not comment on particular planning applications, but I have made it absolutely clear, working with the Department for Communities and Local Government, that the planning system needs to be more responsive to local communities. I personally launched the consultation on trying to get greater community benefits for communities who host renewable sites. I hope that she will, with her experience, contribute to that consultation process, which is very important in ensuring that communities who host these sites can gain a real benefit.

[Mr Speaker]

I understand the temptations, but may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to face the House in answering questions, not to look backwards at the hon. Member who happens to be asking the question?

[Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab)]

The last time we met at Energy and Climate Change orals, I asked the Secretary of State why he was failing to stand up to his Conservative colleagues who want to kill off the British wind industry. He said:

“I have to disappoint the right hon. Lady, because my Conservative colleagues and I are working very closely on this matter.”—[Official Report, 12 July 2012; Vol. 548, c. 433.]

By that, of course, he meant the former energy Minister. After yesterday’s outburst by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr Hayes), how closely would he say they are working together now?

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[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I remind the House that there is much interest in topical questions, which I am keen to accommodate? Brief questions and brief answers would assist.

[Mr David Hamilton (Midlothian) (Lab)]

T6. Cockenzie coal-fired power station, in my neighbouring county, will close very shortly. That will be followed by a spate of closures of coal-fired power stations. What discussions is the Minister having about the gap that that will leave and the skills that will be lost in that important industry, and indeed in what we still have of the coal industry?

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[Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD)]

The National Grid Company has a statutory duty to consider social and environmental costs when evaluating routes for electricity transmission, whether overhead, underground or undersea. It wrote to my constituents acknowledging that duty, and assured them that it would provide detailed analysis for the Hinkley C connection project. As the company has plans to announce its route alignment on Tuesday 6 November, but has not yet provided that information, will the Minister intervene on behalf of my constituents to ensure that it does not ignore its statutory duties—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We are extremely grateful to the hon. Lady, but we need a sentence question.

[Mr Hayes]

I met the hon. Lady to discuss this issue last week, and as she knows, it is a matter for the National Grid Company. I will, of course, discuss it with her in a short while, in order to address her concerns.

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry to disappoint colleagues, but we must move on.