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30 Oct 2008 : Column 1218W—continued
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the number of people employed in the microgeneration industry. [226973]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department does not hold information on the number of people employed in the microgeneration industry.
Plutonium: Prices
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what value was put on the share of British Energy plutonium owned by the Government through its share ownership in British Energy, as part of the sale price agreed with Eléctricité de France. [226872]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: British Energy owns a relatively small quantity of plutonium that has arisen from reprocessing at Thorp. British Energy treats the plutonium as a zero-value asset, and records a liability of £4.8 million (discounted) in its accounts relating to the management of the plutonium. This is consistent with the approach taken by the NDA to the plutonium it holds. EdF's offer for British Energy, under which EdF would pay around £4.4 billion to Government for its stake appeared to represent value for money. The plutonium stocks were not separately valued, and any valuation of them would have been de minimis in the context of the deal as a whole.
Renewable Energy
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what his policy is on whether 5000 MW is an appropriate threshold for renewable energy projects that will not be completed by 2020 in the context of the Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. [227858]
(2) what steps the Government will take to maintain investor confidence in the EU’s commitment to renewable energy if a major review of the Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources takes place in or around 2014. [227859]
(3) what his policy is on whether the 20 per cent. renewable energy target should continue in force following any review of the Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources in or around 2014. [227860]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: We are involved in continuing negotiations with EU member states, the Commission and European Parliament on the EU renewable energy directive and are working towards agreement by the end of the year.
The Government are fully committed to meeting the proposed target of 15 per cent. of UK energy consumption being sourced from renewable sources by 2020. Earlier this year, we consulted on how this might be achieved and, in the light of the results of this consultation, we plan to publish a UK renewable energy strategy in spring 2009.
Renewable Energy: Energy Supply
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on whether renewable energy should be given priority access, subject to maintaining network reliability, to connection to the National Grid network and to priority transmission and distribution. [227857]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Ensuring access for a mix of generating technologies is essential in delivering energy security and tackling climate change. As the amount of variable renewable generation on the network increases, we will need to see timely investment in new responsive back-up capacity in order to ensure reliable electricity supplies.
The Government are focussing on providing faster grid access for renewable and other generators. In June 2008 we published the Transmission Access Review, with Ofgem, that set out principles for grid access reform in particular that new generators should be offered firm connection dates reasonably consistent with project development timescales.
Once connected, renewable and other generators have rights to use the electricity network. It is for each generator to choose when to generate. A wind generator, for example, will be able to run when wind speeds allow, subject to the need to maintain system reliability.
Renewable Energy: Standards
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on whether countries outside the EU supplying renewable energy to the EU should also have adopted a renewable energy target of similar scale to that adopted by the EU. [227856]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: We are involved in continuing negotiations with EU member states, the Commission and European Parliament on the EU renewable energy directive and are working towards agreement by the end of the year.
The Government are fully committed to meeting the proposed target of 15 per cent. of UK energy consumption being sourced from renewable sources by 2020. Earlier this year, we consulted on how this might be achieved and, in the light of the results of this consultation, we plan to publish a UK renewable energy strategy in spring 2009.
Solar Power: Africa
Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the feasibility of importing solar electricity from Africa using a high voltage direct current grid; and if he will make a statement. [227239]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 15 October 2008]: The Government are working to ensure the right framework and incentives are in place to encourage investment in bringing forward a range of renewable technologies as part of formulating our Renewable Energy Strategy which we will publish next spring. Our consultation on it closed on 26 September and we will be considering representations to it in finalising our strategy.
Water Power
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment has been made of the potential contribution water wheels could make to the production of energy from renewable sources. [228306]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 20 October 2008]: No assessment has been made of the potential contribution that water wheels could make to the production of energy. However work is currently being undertaken by the British Hydropower Association, co-funded by DECC and the Welsh Assembly Government, into the potential for hydropower in England and Wales. This study does not look specifically at water wheels but hydropower as a whole and should be completed by the end of the autumn. A Scottish hydropower study was recently completed and can be found at
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of energy in the UK was produced from water wheels situated on major rivers in the latest period for which figures are available. [228307]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 20 October 2008]: No research has been undertaken to look specifically at the UK generation from water wheels in the UK.
For reference, according to the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics (DUKES) 2008 (5.1) 5089 GWh of electricity in 2007 came from hydropower, of which 535 GWh was from small scale hydro.
A report by Element Energy jointly funded by BERR and a number of companies, development agencies and trade associations entitled “The Growth Potential for microgeneration in England, Wales and Scotland”, estimated that there are between 65-75 micro-hydro installations. The report is available at
Wind Power: Planning Permission
Mr Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) if he will change the planning application process for wind farms to include an assessment of economic viability as part of the application process; [231020]
(2) if he will change the planning application process for wind farms to include consideration of (a) the suitability of the topography and (b) meteorological viability in the application process. [231021]
Mr. Iain Wright: I have been asked to reply.
Our planning policy statement (PPS) on climate change expects planning authorities to provide a framework that promotes and encourages renewable energy. The PPS advises planning authorities that they should not require applicants to demonstrate the overall need for renewable energy because new renewable energy projects provide crucial national benefits. Planning authorities are also asked not to question the energy justification for why a proposal must be sited in a particular location as this involves considerations of technical and commercial feasibility (including meteorological and economic viability) which are for the developer concerned.
When determining planning applications, planning authorities should address the planning issues which arise from the proposed location of renewable energy projects, including the suitability of the topography.
These concerns are set out in our published planning policy statements and guidance, together with the wider environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy projects that should also be taken into account.
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Cars: Retail Trade
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what response he plans to make to the expiry of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation in 2010; and if he will make a statement. [228887]
Mr. Thomas [holding answer 20 October 2008]: The current Motor Vehicle Block Exemption is due to expire in 2010. On the basis of detailed discussion with member states, the exemption will either be extended, renegotiated or removed by the European Commission. It is not in the gift of member states.
Having consulted widely with all areas of the industry and other stakeholders, the Government submitted a response to the Commission on 25 July 2008. The response stated that the UK supports the Commission view that this sector specific block exemption should not be renewed in 2010. This was, however, conditional on provision being made in either the vertical block exemption or other EU Regulations addressing concerns in a number of areas, particularly after-market access to technical information.
Minimum Wage
Tony Baldry: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many prosecutions there have been of employers for (a) failing to pay the national minimum wage and (b) offences, associated with the national minimum wage, relating to charges levied on employees for accommodation or transport. [230988]
Mr. Timms: I have been asked to reply.
In the great majority of cases where a compliance officer identifies minimum wage arrears, the employer pays any minimum wage arrears without the need for any formal enforcement action.
Out of the five successful national minimum wage prosecutions, there has been one in respect of the section 31(1) offence relating to an employer refusing or wilfully neglecting to pay the national minimum wage. There have been no prosecutions so far that relate to charges levied on workers for accommodation or transport.
Official Hospitality
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which offices in his Department made arrangements to receive the incoming Secretary of State at the Department's premises on his appointment; and what instructions were given to staff on that reception. [231739]
Mr. McFadden: Staff were informed that Peter Mandelson would be arriving in the Department as part of its internal communication policy and in line with practice across Whitehall. They were invited to greet him if they wished.
Solar Power
John Mann: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department plans to spend on development of solar energy technology in 2008. [224920]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
The Low Carbon Buildings programme (LCBP), launched in 2006, is the Government's £86 million capital grant programme funding the installation of on-site technologies for householders, communities, public sector and business.
Phase 1 is a £36 million programme from which from January 2008 we have spent £1,253,515 in grant funding for solar technologies. We anticipate spending an additional £500,000 for the remainder of 2008 based on current commitments. Phase 2 is a £50 million programme which has spent £4,000,000 on solar technologies so far and we forecast a further £1.8 million will be spent this year based on current commitments.
Electricity generated from solar PV is also eligible for support under the renewables obligation (RO), which is the Government's main mechanism for encouraging new renewable electricity generation. Generators currently receive one renewables obligation certificate (ROC) for every lMWh of renewable electricity. Under reforms to the RO, we are proposing that solar PV receive two ROCs per MWh.
Trade: Canada
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the value of trade between the UK and Canada was in each of the last five years. [231767]
Mr. Thomas: The data requested are shown in the following table.
| £ million | ||||
| UK exports of goods to Canada | UK exports of services to Canada | UK imports of goods from Canada | UK imports of services from Canada | |
| Source: UK Balance of Payments Pink Book, 2008 edition. | ||||
Culture, Media and Sport
Departmental Pensions
Jenny Willott:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what proportion of civil servants in his Department and its
agencies are members of the (a) Classic, (b) Classic Plus, (c) Nuvos and (d) Premium civil service pension schemes. [229538]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Here is the breakdown of membership of the different Civil Service Pension schemes for staff in DCMS and The Royal Parks.
| DCMS | (%) | The Royal Parks | (%) | |
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