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Emissions Trading
Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will pursue improvements to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to ensure that combined heat and power projects benefit fully from the scheme; and if she will make a statement. [194489]
Mr. Morley: I have been asked to reply.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is an important element of the Government's new energy policy, as set out in the Energy White Paper. While developing the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the Government undertook analysis to assess whether the proposed methodology would act as a disincentive to good quality CHP capacity. This analysis concluded that, on average, the baseline methodology used for the National Allocation Plan published earlier this year resulted in a baseline emissions level that was no lower for CHP plants than for installations in the power stations sector. It was therefore decided that the allocations to CHP should be calculated on the same basis as for other installations.
However, following consultation earlier in the year on whether various types of change to installations would be eligible to apply for a free allocation of allowances from the new entrant reserve, the Government have now decided to seek the Commission's agreement to extending eligibility to include, among other things, significant increases in the "good quality" capacity of CHP schemes. New combined heat and power (CHP) installations 1 which come online from 1 January 2004 onwards will also be eligible for allowances from the new entry reserve (NER).
This is intended to assist CHP, and help industry meet the CHP target of 10GW good quality CHP capacity by 2010 as outlined further in the Energy White Paper published in February 2003.
1 Only CHP installations that meet the threshold in Schedule 1 of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme 2003 will fall within the scope of the EU ETS.
Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether universities will be able to benefit from emissions trading; and if she will make a statement. [194490]
Mr. Morley: I have been asked to reply.
Emissions trading is potentially an efficient and cost effective way to achieve emissions reductions. Installations covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (including some universities) have the opportunity to benefit from trading by reducing their emissions below the number of allowances allocated by Government and selling these on the EU market.
Some universities are already benefiting from emissions trading. Through a carbon club, three universities participate in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and have gained experience of trading through the UK market. These universities, along with other Direct Participants, have been granted temporary exclusion from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme until the UK scheme ends in 2006.
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Energy Bills
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average percentage increase in domestic bills for (a) gas and (b) electricity has been since May 1997; and if she will make a statement. [194713]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Data for gas and electricity bills are published on an annual basis, based on a quarterly census of domestic suppliers.
The change in gas bills for domestic customers between 1997 and 2004, based on provisional 2004 bills are given in the table by payment method. In all cases, prices for 2004 are no higher in cash and real terms than in 1997.
The change in electricity bills for domestic customers between 1997 and 2004, based on provisional 2004 bills are given below by payment method. In all cases, prices for 2004 are lower in cash and real terms than in 1997.
Note Data covering bills for 2004 are provisional, although the size of any revisions to these data should be relatively small.
EU Presidency (Greece)
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the Greek presidency of the EU the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of electric materials used in an explosive atmosphere met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present at each meeting; what (a) technical and (b) financial issues were raised by the UK Government expert at each meeting; what recommendations the Committee produced during that period; what actions were (i) proposed and (ii) taken by the (A) EU and (B) UK Government as a result of the Committee's recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [194884]
Mr. Alexander: During the Greek presidency, there were no meetings of the Committee for the adaptation of technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector relating to electrical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
Angus Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the Greek presidency of the EU the Committee for the adaptation to technical
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progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of protective equipment and systems for use in an explosive atmosphere met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present at each meeting; what (a) technical and (b) financial issues were raised by the UK Government expert at each meeting; what recommendations the Committee produced during that period; what actions were (i) proposed and (ii) taken by the (A) EU and (B) UK Government as a result of the Committee's recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [194885]
Mr. Alexander: It is my understanding this question relates to the Standing Committee set up to assist the European Commission under article 6.3 of the Equipment and Protective Systems for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Directive, (the "ATEX" Directive) 94/9 EC. There was one meeting of this Committee on 6–7 February 2003 in Brussels which was attended by two UK expert officials, one from the DTI and one from the Health and Safety Executive. They raised for discussion a number of issues.
The Committee produces non-binding guidance rather than more formal outputs. This guidance was adapted to include agreed solutions to the issues raised by the UK and others. It forms the basis for advice to industry on these matters.
The Committee does not address questions relating to financial issues.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the Greek presidency of the EU the (a) Advisory Committee on standardisation in the field of information technology (Sogits) and (b) the Standing Committee for the harmonisation of national legislation relating to recreational craft met; when and where each meeting took place; which UK Government expert was present at each meeting; what (i) technical and (ii) financial issues were raised by the UK Government expert at each meeting; what recommendations the Committee produced during that period; what actions were (A) proposed and (B) taken by (1) the EU and (2) the UK Government as a result of the Committee's recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [194347]
Ms Hewitt: It is my understanding that the hon. Member is referring to the Standing Committee set up under Article 6 of the Directive 94/25/EC (as amended) on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of member states relating to recreational craft. The Standing Committee met in Brussels on 27 January 2003. Two officials from the Department of Trade and Industry represented the United Kingdom.
The UK contributed a number of points to the discussion of various terms of guidance for industry and other stakeholders. No financial issues were discussed. The UK also made technical contributions to a further informal meeting on the same day, attended by many of the same officials plus industry representatives.
The Committee did not make any formal recommendations but its proceedings influenced the work of the Commission and of member states.
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