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Written Ministerial Statements

Wednesday 17 June 2009

Business, Innovation and Skills

UK Inward Investment

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Ian Lucas): My noble Friend the Minister for Trade, Investment and Business, Lord Davies, has made the following statement with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council

The Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills (Mr. Pat McFadden): My noble Friend the Minister For Communications, Technology and Broadcasting (Lord Carter) has made the following statement.

Treasury

The Scottish and Northern Ireland Banknotes Regulations

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Kitty Ussher): Today I am publishing a consultation document on secondary legislation made under part 6 of the Banking Act 2009, regarding arrangements underpinning the commercial issuance of Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes. Copies of the document entitled, “The Banking Act 2009 (Scottish and Northern Ireland Banknotes)
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Regulations 2009: a consultation” have been deposited in the Libraries of the House and the Vote Office and will be available on the HM Treasury website.

Energy and Climate Change

Coal and Carbon Capture Storage

The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Edward Miliband): I am today publishing a consultation on coal and carbon capture and storage entitled “A Framework for the Development of Clean Coal”.

In April, the Budget announced financing for up to four CCS demonstration projects in the UK and, the following day, I outlined proposals for a new regulatory regime for new coal-fired power stations. Following the statutory strategic environmental assessment, this consultation document sets out the Government’s proposals in more detail.

The aims of our proposals are to drive the decarbonisation of our energy supply, to safeguard our energy security and to get the best deal for consumers and businesses. The conditions on new coal proposed in this document are the most environmentally ambitious of any country in the world, requiring the demonstration of CCS on a substantial proportion of any new power station and the 100 per cent. retrofit of CCS when it is proven.

The document also sets out for consultation the process for funding and taking forward the demonstration projects that will enable us to maintain coal as part of our energy mix, supporting diversity and therefore security of supply.

By acting early, jobs will also be created as Britain develops the expertise in what could be a major new industry, with CCS projects offering the potential to form the hubs for clusters of low carbon industries.

By driving the development of CCS in this country, we are also, as a country, playing an essential role in tackling climate change. Coal is already widely used in developed and developing countries and its use is expected to grow further: 70 to 80 per cent. of the predicted growth in emissions in the coming decades will come from developing countries unless we find a route to low carbon growth

Copies of the consultation have been placed in the Library and it is available from: www.decc.gov.uk

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Animal Health and Veterinary Performance Targets

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Hilary Benn): I have set Animal Health (AH) the following performance targets for 2009-10.

Building Capability

Demonstrate readiness for major outbreak of exotic disease.


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Continue improvement of system and processes.

Quality of Service Delivery

Enhanced engagement with end user customers.

We will consult with customer panels on improving customer service, policy development and provision of advice and guidance.

Value for money

Increasing efficiency

Charge end users fairly and efficiently

(i) I have set the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) the following performance targets for 2009-10.

Quality of Service Delivery

Value for Public Money

Capacity and Capability

Safety

I have set the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) the following performance targets for 2009-10.

Quality of Service Delivery


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Capacity and Capability and Value for money

There are stringent performance indicators for each of these targets.

Further details are given in the respective “Agencies’ Business Plans for 2009-10”, copies of which will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
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Home Department

Terrorism Act 2000 (Carlile Report)

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Alan Johnson): I am pleased to say that Lord Carlile of Berriew QC has completed his report on the operation of the Terrorism Act 2000 and part 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006 in 2008, which will be laid before the House today.

I am grateful to Lord Carlile for his detailed report and have considered his recommendations fully. Following consultation within my Department and with other relevant Departments and agencies, I am also pleased to lay before the House today my response to Lord Carlile’s recommendations.

Copies of both Lord Carlile’s report and the response will be available in the Vote Office.


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