House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee
Formal Minutes
Session 2008–09
The Committee Name
The Energy and Climate Change Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Department of Energy and Climate Change and associated public bodies.
Current membership Mr Elliot Morley MP (Labour, Scunthorpe) (Chairman) Mr David Anderson MP (Labour, Blaydon) Colin Challen MP (Labour, Morley and Rothwell) Nadine Dorries MP (Conservative, Mid Bedfordshire) Charles Hendry MP (Conservative, Wealden) Miss Julie Kirkbride MP (Conservative, Bromsgrove) Anne Main MP (Conservative, St Albans) Judy Mallaber MP (Labour, Amber Valley) John Robertson MP (Labour, Glasgow North West) Sir Robert Smith MP (Liberal Democrats, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) Paddy Tipping MP (Labour, Sherwood) Dr Desmond Turner MP (Labour, Brighton Kemptown) Mr Mike Weir MP (Scottish National Party, Angus) Dr Alan Whitehead MP (Labour, Southampton Test)
Powers The committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk.
Publication The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including press notices) are on the Internet at www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/ecc.cfm. A list of Reports of the Committee in the present Parliament is at the back of this volume.
Committee staff The current staff of the Committee are Tom Goldsmith (Clerk), Robert Cope (Second Clerk), Francene Graham (Senior Committee Assistant) Luisa Porritt (Committee Assistant) and Estelita Manalo, (Office Support Assistant) and Hannah Pearce (Media Officer).
Contacts All correspondence should be addressed to the Clerks of the Energy and Climate Change Committee, House of Commons, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA. The telephone number for general enquiries is 020 7219 2569; the Committee’s email address is [email protected]
Proceedings of the Committee
Wednesday 21 January 2009
Members present:
Mr David Anderson Judy Mallaber Mr Elliot Morley Sir Robert Smith Charles Hendry Paddy Tipping Miss Julie Kirkbride Mr Mike Weir Anne Main Dr Alan Whitehead
1. Declaration of Interests
Members declared their interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see Appendix 1).
2. Chairmanship
Mr Elliot Morley was called to the Chair.
3. Oral Evidence in public
Ordered, That the public be admitted during the examination of witnesses unless the Committee orders otherwise.
Ordered, That, unless the Committee order otherwise, uncorrected transcripts of oral evidence given to the Committee be published on the internet.
4. Permission to publish Written Evidence
Ordered, That those who submit written evidence to the Committee have leave to publish it, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 135, except in cases of particular sensitivity, where the Clerk is authorised to refer the matter to the Committee for decision.
5. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into UK offshore oil and gas; the national grid; and the green economy and low carbon technologies.
4
Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence from the Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence from energy companies.
6. Overseas travel
Resolved, That the Committee undertake a European visit before the Summer recess as part of its inquiry into the green economy and low carbon technologies, and that the Chairman seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 4 February at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 4 February 2009
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Mr David Anderson Paddy Tipping Colin Challen Dr Desmond Turner Anne Main Mr Mike Weir John Robertson Dr Alan Whitehead Sir Robert Smith
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. UK Travel
Resolved, That the Committee visit Aberdeen in March in connection with its inquiry into UK offshore oil and gas.
3. Overseas visit (European)
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Travel in a representative capacity
Resolved, That Dr Alan Whitehead have leave to visit Brussels in February to attend the Joint Parliamentary Meeting organised by the European Parliament and the Czech Republic Parliament in a representative capacity.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 11 February at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 11 February 2009
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Mr David Anderson John Robertson Nadine Dorries Sir Robert Smith Charles Hendry Paddy Tipping Miss Julie Kirkbride Dr Desmond Turner Anne Main Mr Mike Weir Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Inquiry into energy prices in 2009 and future investment in electricity generating capacity
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to energy prices in 2009 and future investment in electricity generating capacity be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
EC 1 E.ON UK EC 2 Scottish Power EC 3 Scottish and Southern Energy EC 4 RWEnpower
Phil Bentley, Managing Director, British Gas, Martin Lawrence, Managing Director, Energy Sourcing and Customer Supply, EDF Energy, Jim Macdonald, Commercial Director, Retail, E.ON UK, Guy Johnson, Director of Regulation, RWEnpower, Ian Marchant, Chief Executive, Scottish and Southern Energy, and Nick Horler, Chief Executive, Scottish Power, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 25 February at 9.00 a.m.
6
Wednesday 25 February 2009
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Mr David Anderson John Robertson Colin Challen Sir Robert Smith Nadine Dorries Paddy Tipping Charles Hendry Dr Desmond Turner Miss Julie Kirkbride Mr Mike Weir Anne Main Dr Alan Whitehead Judy Mallaber
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Travel in a representative capacity
Resolved, That Charles Hendry have leave to visit St Petersburg in March 2009 to attend a conference on the Nord Stream project organised by the Russian Embassy in a representative capacity.
3. Inquiry into the work of the Department of Energy and Climate Change
Rt Hon Edward Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ms Moira Wallace, Permanent Secretary, Mr Willy Rickett, Director General, Energy, and Mr Simon Virley, Head of Renewable Energy and Innovation Unit, Department of Energy and Climate Change, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 4 March at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 4 March 2009
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Mr David Anderson John Robertson Colin Challen Sir Robert Smith Nadine Dorries Paddy Tipping Charles Hendry Dr Desmond Turner Miss Julie Kirkbride Mr Mike Weir Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Inquiry into the work of the Committee on Climate Change
Lord Turner of Ecchinswell, Chairman, and Mr David Kennedy, Chief Executive, Committee on Climate Change, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 11 March at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Mr David Anderson John Robertson Colin Challen Sir Robert Smith Nadine Dorries Paddy Tipping Charles Hendry Dr Desmond Turner Miss Julie Kirkbride Mr Mike Weir Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Inquiry into UK offshore oil and gas
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to UK offshore oil and gas be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
UKOG 1 BP UKOG 2 BG Group UKOG 3 RSPB UKOG 4 Professor Alexander Kemp UKOG 5 Oil & Gas UK UKOG 6 Shell UK UKOG 7 British Rig Owners’ Association UKOG 8 Joint Nature Conservation Committee
8
UKOG 9 Oil and Gas Independents’ Association UKOG 10 Carbon Capture and Storage Association UKOG 11 Total E&P UK Ltd UKOG 12 AMEC plc
Steve Jenkins, Chairman, Alan Booth, Chief Executive Officer, Encore Oil, and Martyn Millwood Hargrave, Chief Executive Officer, Ikon Science; Martin Harper, Head of Sustainable Development, and Dr Sharon Thompson, Senior Marine Policy Officer, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 19 March at Town House, Aberdeen at 10.00 a.m.
Thursday 19 March 2009
The Committee met at the Town House, Aberdeen
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Mr David Anderson Judy Mallaber Sir Robert Smith Mr Mike Weir
1. Inquiry into UK offshore oil and gas
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to UK offshore oil and gas be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
UKOG 13 Centrica UKOG 14 ABB Ltd UKOG 15 Scottish Council for Development and Industry
Professor Alexander Kemp, University of Aberdeen; Malcolm Webb, Chief Executive, and Paul Dymond, Operations Director, Oil and Gas UK, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 26 March at 9.30 a.m.
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Mr David Anderson Sir Robert Smith Colin Challen Paddy Tipping Charles Hendry Dr Desmond Turner Miss Julie Kirkbride Mr Mike Weir John Robertson Dr Alan Whitehead
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Travel in a representative capacity
Resolved, That three members of the Committee have leave to visit Copenhagen to attend the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in a representative capacity.
3. UK Travel
Resolved, That the Committee visit the National Grid control centre in Wokingham in connection with its inquiry into the future of Britain’s electricity networks.
4. Inquiry into the future of Britain’s electricity networks
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the future of Britain’s electricity networks be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FBEN 1 Navetas FBEN 2 Unite – the union FBEN 3 Crown Estate FBEN 4 Institute of Physics FBEN 5 Scottish Renewables FBEN 6 Dr Michael Pollitt FBEN 7 ARUP FBEN 8 RLtec FBEN 9 Energy Technologies Institute FBEN 10 Prospect FBEN 11 Helius Energy FBEN 12 Living Fuels
10
FBEN 13 ABB FBEN 14 Intergen FBEN 15 Town and Country Planning Association FBEN 16 Energy and Utility Skills/Power Sector Skills Strategy Group FBEN 17 Energy Networks Association FBEN 18 Scottish Natural Heritage FBEN 19 ESB International FBEN 20 National Grid FBEN 21 Global Marine Systems FBEN 22 Consumer Focus FBEN 23 Nuclear Industry Association FBEN 24 Chemical Industries Association FBEN 25 Electricity North West Limited FBEN 26 Royal Academy of Engineering FBEN 27 The Institution of Engineering and Technology FBEN 28 Dr Patrick Devine-Wright FBEN 29 E.ON FBEN 30 Centrica FBEN 31 Scottish and Southern Energy FBEN 32 Campaign to Protect Rural England FBEN 33 Sussex Energy Group
5. Inquiry into UK offshore oil and gas
Mike O’Brien MP, Minister of State, Simon Toole, Head of the Energy Development Unit Licensing, Exploration and Development, and Jim Campbell, Director of the Energy Development Unit, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 1 April at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Colin Challen Sir Robert Smith Nadine Dorries Paddy Tipping Charles Hendry Dr Desmond Turner Anne Main Mr Mike Weir Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Appointment of Specialist Adviser
Ordered, That Professor Alexander Kemp be appointed a Specialist Adviser to assist the Committee in its inquiry into UK offshore oil and gas.
3. Inquiry into the future of Britain’s electricity networks
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the future of Britain’s electricity networks be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FBEN 34 Department of Energy and Climate Change FBEN 35 Scottish Power FBEN 36 Ofgem FBEN 37 Energy Research Partnership
Dr Michael Pollitt, Electricity Policy Research Group, Professor Goran Strbac, UK Energy Research Centre, and Dr Jim Watson, Sussex Energy Group, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 22 April at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 22 April 2009
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Mr David Anderson Sir Robert Smith Colin Challen Paddy Tipping Nadine Dorries Dr Desmond Turner Charles Hendry Mr Mike Weir Anne Main Dr Alan Whitehead Judy Mallaber
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
12
2. UK Travel
Resolved, That the Committee visit Centrica’s gas storage facility in Rough.
3. Inquiry into the future of Britain’s electricity networks
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the future of Britain’s electricity networks be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FBEN 38 Scottish Council for Development and Industry FBEN 39 Professor Goran Strbac FBEN 40 Areva T&D Ltd
Alison Kay, Commercial Director, Transmission, National Grid, Mike Barlow, Head of Systems Management, Scottish and Southern Energy, and Rupert Steele, Director of Regulation, Scottish Power; Tim Balcon, Chief Executive, Energy and Utility Skills, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 29 April at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 29 April 2009
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Mr David Anderson Paddy Tipping Charles Hendry Dr Desmond Turner Anne Main Mr Mike Weir Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead Sir Robert Smith
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Travel in a representative capacity
Resolved, That three Members have leave to visit the British Embassy in Budapest in June 2009 to attend a meeting on preparations to develop a Climate Act in Hungary in a representative capacity.
3. Department of Energy and Climate Change – Departmental Report and Resource Accounts
Ordered, That the Department of Energy and Climate Change have permission to produce a combined Departmental Report and Resource Accounts.
4. Inquiry into the future of Britain’s electricity networks
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the future of Britain’s electricity networks be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FBEN 41 Association of Electricity Producers FBEN 42 Exeter University FBEN 43 Renewable Energy Association FBEN 44 Scottish Chamber of Commerce FBEN 45 AEP, BWEA, and Scottish Renewables (Joint response)
Gordon Edge, Director of Economics and Markets, British Wind Energy Association, Tim Russell, Russell Power Ltd, Renewable Energy Association, and Jason Ormiston, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables; David Porter, Chief Executive, Barbara Vest, Head of Electricity Trading, and Alistair Tolley, Head of Renewable Energy, Association of Electricity Producers, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 6 May at 9.30 a.m.
Wednesday 6 May 2009
Members present:
Mr Elliot Morley, in the Chair
Mr David Anderson Paddy Tipping Colin Challen Dr Desmond Turner Judy Mallaber Mr Mike Weir John Robertson Dr Alan Whitehead Sir Robert Smith
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
14
2. Inquiry into the future of Britain’s electricity networks
David Smith, Chief Executive, Energy Networks Association, Phil Jones, President and Chief Operating Officer, CE Electric UK, and Steve Johnson, Chief Executive, Electricity North West Ltd; Simon Harrison, Director of Energy, Mott MacDonald, John Scott, KEMA Consulting, Institution of Engineering and Technology, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 20 May at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Members present:
Charles Hendry Paddy Tipping Judy Mallaber Mr Mike Weir John Robertson Dr Alan Whitehead Sir Robert Smith
1. Chairmanship
Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman, Paddy Tipping was called to the Chair.
Paddy Tipping accordingly took the Chair.
2. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Overseas visit (Berlin and Copenhagen)
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Overseas visit (California)
Resolved, That the Committee undertake a visit to California in the autumn 2009 in connection with its inquiry into and low carbon technologies in a green economy, and that the Chairman seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
5. National Policy Statements
The Committee considered this matter.
7. Inquiry into energy prices in 2009 and future investment in electricity generating capacity
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to energy prices in 2009 and future investment in electricity generating capacity be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
EC 5 Ofgem
8. Inquiry into UK offshore oil and gas
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to UK offshore oil and gas be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
UKOG 1A BP UKOG 5A Oil and Gas UK UKOG 6A Shell UK UKOG 9A Oil and Gas Independents’ Association UKOG 9B Oil and Gas Independents’ Association UKOG 12A AMEC UKOG 13A Centrica UKOG 16 Department of Energy and Climate Change UKOG 16A Department of Energy and Climate Change UKOG 16B Department of Energy and Climate Change
9. Inquiry into the future of Britain’s electricity networks
Alistair Buchanan, Chief Executive, Ofgem, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 10 June at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 10 June 2009
Members present:
Mr David Anderson Sir Robert Smith Colin Challen Paddy Tipping Anne Main Mr Mike Weir Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead
16
1. Chairmanship
Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman, Paddy Tipping was called to the Chair.
Paddy Tipping accordingly took the Chair.
2. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. UK Travel (Centrica gas storage facility at Rough)
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Overseas visit (Berlin and Copenhagen)
The Committee considered this matter.
5. Travel in a representative capacity
Resolved, That Dr Desmond Turner have leave to visit Copenhagen to attend the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in a representative capacity.
6. Inquiry into the future of Britain’s electricity networks
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the future of Britain’s electricity networks be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FBEN 17A Energy Networks Association FBEN 5A Scottish Renewables
7. Inquiry into low carbon technologies in a green economy
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to low carbon technologies in a green economy be reported to the House for publication on the internet: LCT 1 Association for the British Electrochemical Industries (BEAMA) LCT 2 Sheffield City Region LCT 3 Calor Gas Ltd LCT 4 Intergen LCT 5 Wormser Energy Solutions LCT 6 Northwest Regional Development Agency LCT 7 Food and Drink Federation LCT 8 E.ON UK plc LCT 9 Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA)
LCT 10 National Energy Association (NEA) LCT 11 The Crown Estate LCT 12 National Grid LCT 13 The Carbon Trust LCT 14 Tesco LCT 15 Baxi Group LCT 16 Global Marine System LCT 17 Energy Saving Trust LCT 18 Micropower Council LCT 19 British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) LCT 20 Ceres Power Ltd LCT 21 EDF Energy LCT 22 Air Products plc LCT 23 Carbon Capture and Storage Association LCT 24 Association of Electricity Producers (AEP) LCT 25 Greenpeace LCT 25A Greenpeace LCT 25B Greenpeace LCT 25C Greenpeace LCT 26 Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) LCT 27 Centrica LCT 28 New Economics Foundation LCT 29 Department of Energy and Climate Change
Andrew Simms, Policy Director and Head of the Climate Change Programme, New Economics Foundation; and Dr Douglas Parr, Chief Scientific Adviser and Policy Director, Greenpeace, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 17 June at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Declarations of interest:
******
Sir Robert Smith declared the following interest: Shareholdings in Shell; and Vice- Chairmanship of the All-Party Group for the offshore oil and gas industry.
******
18
Wednesday 17 June 2009
Members present:
Mr David Anderson Sir Robert Smith Colin Challen Paddy Tipping Charles Hendry Mr Mike Weir Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead John Robertson
1. Chairmanship
Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman, Paddy Tipping was called to the Chair.
Paddy Tipping accordingly took the Chair.
2. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. National Policy Statements
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Draft Report (UK offshore oil and gas)
Draft Report (UK offshore oil and gas), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 118 read and agreed to.
Summary agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the First Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.
Written evidence was ordered to be reported to the House for printing with the Report, together with written evidence reported and ordered to be published on 11 and 19 March and 20 May.
5. Inquiry into low carbon technologies in a green economy
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to low carbon technologies in a green economy be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
LCT 25D Greenpeace LCT 25E Greenpeace LCT 30 South East England Development Agency
6. Inquiry into the future of Britain’s Electricity Networks
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the future of Britain’s electricity networks be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FBEN 27A Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) FBEN 36 Office of Gas and Electricity Markets FBEN 36 B-M Office of Gas and Electricity Markets FBEN 46 Joint Association Response (Association of Electricity Producers, British Wind Energy Association, and Scottish Renewables
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, Minister of State, Lorraine Hamid, Head of the Future Electricity Networks Team, and John Overton, Future Electricity Networks Team, Department of Energy and Climate Change, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 1 July at 9.00 a.m.
Tuesday 23 June – Friday 26 June
Judy Mallaber, Paddy Tipping, Sir Robert Smith, Mr Mike Weir and the Clerks visited Berlin and Copenhagen in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into low carbon technologies in a green economy, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 21 January 2009.
Wednesday 1 July 2009
Members present:
Mr David Anderson Sir Robert Smith Colin Challen Dr Desmond Turner Miss Julie Kirkbride Mr Mike Weir Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead John Robertson
20
1. Chairmanship
Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman, Dr Alan Whitehead was called to the Chair.
Dr Alan Whitehead accordingly took the Chair.
2. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Inquiry into low carbon technologies in a green economy
Adrian Wilkes, Chief Executive, Danny Stevens, Policy Director, Environmental Industries Commission; and Dr Gordon Edge, Director of Economics and Markets, British Wind Energy Association, Philip Wolfe, Non-Executive Director, and Martin Wright, Chief Executive, Marine Current Turbines, Renewable Energy Association, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 8 July at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 8 July 2009
Members present:
Charles Hendry Dr Desmond Turner Judy Mallaber Mr Mike Weir Sir Robert Smith Dr Alan Whitehead
1. Chairmanship
Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman, Dr Alan Whitehead was called to the Chair.
Dr Alan Whitehead accordingly took the Chair.
2. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Inquiry into low carbon technologies in a green economy
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to low carbon technologies in a green economy be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
LCT 31 Renewable Energy Association LCT 32 Energy Technology Institute LCT 33 James Page
James Wilde, Director of Insights, Mark Williamson, Director of Innovations, The Carbon Trust, and Marian Spain, Director of Strategy, Rob Lewis, Strategy Manager, Energy Saving Trust; and Dr David Clarke, CEO, Energy Technologies Institute, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 15 July at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 15 July 2009
Members present:
Colin Challen Dr Desmond Turner Charles Hendry Mr Mike Weir Miss Julie Kirkbride Dr Alan Whitehead Sir Robert Smith
1. Chairmanship
Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman, Dr Alan Whitehead was called to the Chair.
Dr Alan Whitehead accordingly took the Chair.
2. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Travel in a representative capacity
Resolved, That Dr Alan Whitehead have leave to attend The Economics of Climate Change conference in Stockholm in a representative capacity.
22
4. Inquiry into the future of Britain’s Electricity Networks
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to low carbon technologies in a green economy be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FBEN 36N Office of Gas and Electricity Markets
5. Inquiry into low carbon technologies in a green economy
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to low carbon technologies in a green economy be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
LCT 34 Energy and Utility Skills
Frank Corrigan, Director of Strategy and Development, Energy & Utility Skills, gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Wednesday 14 October at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Members present:
Mr David Anderson Sir Robert Smith Colin Challen Paddy Tipping Charles Hendry Dr Desmond Turner Anne Main Mr Mike Weir Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead John Robertson
1. Chairmanship
Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman, Paddy Tipping was called to the Chair.
Paddy Tipping accordingly took the Chair.
2. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Government response: draft special report
Draft Special Report (UK offshore oil and gas: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2008-09), proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the First Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report, be the First Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
4. Petition – Effect of Wind Farm transpiration in Mid Wales
The Committee considered this matter.
5. Inquiry into the Severn Estuary tidal power projects
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister of State, and Sarah Rhodes, Acting Director, Office of Renewable Energy and Deployment, Department of Energy and Climate Change gave oral evidence.
6. Inquiry into low carbon technologies in a green economy
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to low carbon technologies in a green economy be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
LCT 35 Water UK LCT 36 Mineral Products Association LCT 37 National Physical Laboratory LCT 38 Sustainable Development Commission LCT 39 Green2Go
[Adjourned till Wednesday 21 October at 9.00 a.m.
24
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Members present:
Mr David Anderson John Robertson Colin Challen Sir Robert Smith Charles Hendry Paddy Tipping Anne Main Dr Desmond Turner Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead
1. Chairmanship
Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman, Paddy Tipping was called to the Chair.
Paddy Tipping accordingly took the Chair.
2. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Inquiry into low carbon technologies in a green economy
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to low carbon technologies in a green economy be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
LCT 40 Dr Stuart Hillmansen LCT 41 Sustainable Aviation LCT 42 Desertec
Professor Julia King, Aston University, Greg Archer, Managing Director, Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, Stuart Hillmansen, University of Birmingham; Mark Brownrigg, Director-General, and Robert Ashdown, Head of Technical Affairs, UK Chamber of Shipping, Professor Ric Parker, Director of Research and Technology Rolls Royce plc, Ian Jopson, Head of Environmental and Community Affairs, and Roger Wiltshire, Secretary General, British Air Transport Association, Sustainable Aviation, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 28 October at 9.00 a.m.
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Members present:
Mr David Anderson Sir Robert Smith Charles Hendry Paddy Tipping Miss Julie Kirkbride Dr Desmond Turner Anne Main Mr Mike Weir Judy Mallaber Dr Alan Whitehead
1. Chairmanship
Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman, Paddy Tipping was called to the Chair.
Paddy Tipping accordingly took the Chair.
2. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Inquiry into the DECC Annual Report and Resource Accounts Rt Hon Edward Miliband MP, Secretary of State, Moira Wallace OBE, Permanent Secretary, Phil Wynn Owen, Director General, National Climate Change and Consumer Support, Simon Virley, Acting Director General, Energy Markets Infrastructure, Department of Energy and Climate Change, gave oral evidence.
4. Inquiry into low carbon technologies in a green economy
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to low carbon technologies in a green economy be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
LCT 43 UK PV Manufacturing Association
[Adjourned till Wednesday 4 November at 9.00 a.m.
26
Appendix 1
Declaration of Interests as at 21 January 2009)
David Anderson declared the following interests: Overseas visits
8-16 February 2008, to Kurdistan Region in Iraq, with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan Region in Iraq, as a guest of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The cost of my flights, internal travel and accommodation was borne by the KRG. (Registered 26 February 2008) 8-12 May 2008, to Baghdad, as a guest of the Islamic Dawa Party, to get update from Ministers on situation on the ground. The cost of my travel and accommodation was borne by the Islamic Dawa Party. (Registered 5 June 2008) 28 August-1 September 2008, to Nairobi, Kenya, to attend a conference organised by the Universal Peace Federation, paid for by the UPF. (Registered 25 September 2008)
Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests
Chair, Public Utilities Reform Group (unpaid) Chair, Parliamentary Coalfields Community Group (unpaid)
Colin Challen declared the following interests: Overseas visits 7-12 September 2008, to Israel and Palestine with Labour Friends of Israel (LFI). Travel and hospitality within Israel and Palestine paid for by LFI. Accommodation paid for by LFI at a rate discounted through the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some hospitality provided by the Palestinian Legislative Council, Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Registered 24 September 2008)
Nadine Dorries declared no interests.
Charles Hendry declared the following interests: Gifts, benefits and hospitality (UK) 24-25 May 2008, hospitality, tickets and two nights' accommodation at the Hay Literary Festival for me and my family, provided by Sky Television. (Registered 4 June 2008) Economy return flights to Washington DC provided for me and my family by Virgin
Atlantic, departure 5 August, return 18 August 2008. (Registered 5 October 2008)
Overseas visits 27-28 April 2008, to France, to visit La Rance tidal barrage facility near Dinard, Brittany. Flights, accommodation and hospitality provided by William Cook Holdings Ltd of Sheffield. (Registered 12 May 2008) 30 August-2 September 2008, to Slovenia, to attend and speak at the Bled Strategic Forum. Transport, accommodation and hospitality for my wife and me provided by the Government of Slovenia. (Registered 5 October 2008)
Julie Kirkbride declared the following interests: Remunerated employment, office, profession etc Lectures for the Civil Service College. (Up to £5,000)
Overseas visits
14-19 November 2008, to the United Arab Emirates, with all-party delegation to meet Government representatives, as guest of the Government of the UAE. The costs of
flights and accommodation were met by the Government of the UAE. (Registered 25 November 2008)
Anne Main declared the following interests: Overseas visits 4-10 January 2008, to Dhaka, Bangladesh, on fact-finding visit. Premium economy return flight paid for by Mr Uddin, Rahman Travels, London. (I met the costs of hotel accommodation.) (Registered 21 January 2008)
Judy Mallaber declared the following interests: Overseas visits 14-20 April 2008, to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Great Lakes Region and Genocide Prevention as a guest of the Government of the DRC. The costs of my flights, internal travel and accommodation were borne by charities Christian Aid, International Alert and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD). (Registered 27 May 2008)
Mr Elliot Morley declared the following interests: Sponsorship or financial or material support Part-time research assistance provided by Network for Animals.
Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests Chairman of GLOBE UK (Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment) and GLOBE International (unpaid)
28
John Robertson declared the following interests: Sponsorship or financial or material support The salary of a research assistant for one day a week to work with the All-Party
Parliamentary Groups on Nigeria and Angola is paid by Chatham House. July 2008, computer equipment for Parliamentary office provided by Connect.
(Registered 16 July 2008)
Gifts, benefits and hospitality (UK) 20 February 2008, two tickets for the Brit Awards provided by the BPI (British
Phonographic Industry). (Registered 6 March 2008)
Overseas visits 10-14 February 2008, to Israel and Palestine with Labour Friends of Israel (LFI). Travel and hospitality paid for by LFI. Accommodation paid for by LFI at a rate discounted through the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some hospitality provided by the Palestinian Legislative Council/Palestinian Authority. Travel within Israel and Palestine provided by LFI. (Registered 25 February 2008) 4-7 May 2008, to Washington DC, as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria, to consult with US policy and law makers on Nigeria. Flights, accommodation and other costs were met by Chatham House. (Registered 6 June 2008) 10-12 August 2008, to Oskarshamn, Sweden, to visit nuclear power and nuclear waste research and storage facilities with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nuclear Energy. The costs of the trip were met by E.ON. (Registered 22 August 2008) 30 November-6 December 2008, to Nigeria as a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria, on a fact-finding and relationship building visit. Costs of the visit including flights and accommodation were met by Virgin Nigeria Airways and Shell International. (Registered 15 December 2008)
Sir Robert Smith declared the following interests: Overseas visits 26-28 August 2008, to Stavanger, Norway to visit Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) conference and exhibition - joint visit by the British Offshore Oil & Gas Industry All Party Parliamentary Group at Westminster and the Oil & Gas Cross Party Group at Holyrood. Overseas flights, hotel accommodation, local transport and hospitality
sponsored by Oil & Gas UK, Shell, Chevron, Statoil Hydro, Wood Group, Conoco Phillips, Exxon Mobil, the Norwegian Embassy and OLF. (Registered 11 September 2008)
Land and Property Farm and cottages in Aberdeenshire, from which rental income is received.
Registrable shareholdings (b) Glaxosmithkline; pharmaceuticals. Legal and General; life assurance. Rio Tinto; mineral extraction. Shell Transport and Trading; oil-integrated.
Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests
Vice-Chairman of the All-Party Group on the Oil and Gas Industry (unpaid) Vice-Chairman of the All-Party Group on Warm Homes (unpaid) Honorary Vice President, Energy Action Scotland (unpaid)
Paddy Tipping declared the following interests:
Remunerated directorships Non-executive Chairman of North Nottinghamshire LIFT Company Limited;
company developing primary care estate in the region. Non-executive Chairman of Greater Nottingham LIFT Company Limited; company
developing primary care estate in the region.
Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies (unpaid)
Dr Desmond Turner declared no interests.
Mr Mike Weir declared the following interests: Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests
Vice-Chairman of the All-Party Group on the Oil and Gas Industry (unpaid) Vice-Chairman of the Environment All-Party Group (unpaid) Treasurer of the Intelligent Energy All-Party Group (unpaid)
30
Dr Alan Whitehead declared the following interests:
Overseas visits 7-12 February 2008, to Ghana, to play a football match against the Ghanaian Parliament at their invitation to celebrate their 50th anniversary of independence, to visit an SOS Villages project and a refugee camp at the invitation of PLAY Ghana, and to attend the African Nations Cup Final, with accommodation, food and local transport provided by the Parliament of Ghana and a contribution towards the air fare provide by our club sponsors National Grid, who also helped provide a charitable donation to SOS Villages. (Registered 12 June 2008) 15-17 May 2008, to Guernsey at the invitation of the States of Guernsey, to play a football match with accommodation and hospitality provided by the States of
Guernsey and a contribution to the air fare provided by our club sponsors National Grid. (Registered 12 June 2008)
Land and Property Share in flat inhabited by my father in Southampton.
Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests
Chair of the Associate Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group (unpaid) Co-Chair of the Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Waste Group (unpaid) Board Member, The Environment Centre (Southampton) (unpaid) Director, Southampton Sustainable Energy Limited (unpaid)