Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Virendra Sharma and Claire Perry

Tuesday 8th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab)]

8. What assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of the Paris rulebook agreed at COP24 in meeting the Paris agreement goal of holding the increase in global average temperature to less than 2° C.

[The Minister for Energy and Clean Growth (Claire Perry)]

I want to pay tribute to our UK negotiating team, which did such a fantastic job at the recent conference of the parties in developing a robust set of rules that will take us forward to achieve what we need, which is further hardcore nationally determined contributions in 2020. We want to use our leadership in this space to continue progress, which was why I was pleased to announce our expression of interest in hosting the 2020 COP right here in the UK. I hope the hon. Gentleman will support that.

[Mr Sharma]

I thank the Minister for that response. What sanctions are the Government willing to use to ensure that other countries meet their 2020 emission reduction targets?

[Claire Perry]

We do not have the power to sanction under international law—or, indeed, under the current United Nations proposals—but we can work positively through initiatives such as the Powering Past Coal Alliance, which I was pleased to set up with my Canadian equivalent last year, to encourage all countries that, like us, are committed to phasing coal out of their energy system in a short period. We now have more than 80 members a year after launch, so we can continue to lead by example.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Virendra Sharma and Claire Perry

Tuesday 12th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Claire Perry]

I must pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s brilliant chairmanship of the all-party group on this technology area. He is absolutely right: we do think that water power has incredible potential. That is why the Government have invested over £100 million since 2010 in investigating various forms of the technology and why we are keen to continue to pursue opportunities, but they have to be at the right price for consumers.

[Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab)]

T7. What assurances has the Minister received that the British steel industry can supply Heathrow expansion sufficiently?

UK Oil and Gas Industry

Debate between Virendra Sharma and Claire Perry

Thursday 19th April 2018 Westminster Hall

[Mr Virendra Sharma (in the Chair)]

Order. The Minister will get a chance to respond to the debate, and I would appreciate it if she would—

[Claire Perry]

I am trying to keep us awake.

[Mr Virendra Sharma (in the Chair)]

I will send you another bottle of water.