Green Energy (Definition and Promotion Bill)

10.44.05am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Jun 2009

• [Jun 17] Martin Horwood (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat): I JOIN others in welcoming the Bill and congratulating Mr. Ainsworth on promoting it.

It can be very important in accelerating the development of renewable energy, particularly microgeneration. The Minister is right that it enjoys broad cross-party support in the House. The fact that the Government support it is welcome. Occasionally, Private Members' Bills have to be watered down to enjoy Government support, but I am pleased to say that my assessment is that that is not the case with this Bill. I know that that is also the assessment of the hon. Member for East Surrey. The Government have accepted all the important principles of the Bill and the key measures in it.

May I correct the Minister on one small matter? I do not believe that the Bill just relates to wind turbines and air source heat pumps. It has a much broader spread, and issues relating to micro-hydropower, which my hon. Friend Mr. Heath raised, are quite important. Certainly we can happily discuss them in Committee. We on these Benches wish the Bill well, and we would like the resolution to be passed without opposition.

. . Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey, Conservative): I thank the Minister for moving the motion, and I welcome him to his new responsibilities. He has an honourable track record on green issues, so it is good to see him in his post. I hope that he will have much influence on Government thinking on these matters. I also thank other hon. Members for their kind words.

There has been no attempt to water down the provisions that I am seeking to introduce. Speaking of water, I am afraid that there is a problem with introducing measures on micro-hydropower into the Bill. However, I hope very much to work with the Government and Liberal Democrat Members to put that problem right in another way at another time. I have no doubt that we will return to the matter during the Committee stage.

Question put and agreed to.

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