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Energy: Electricity Generation
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have commissioned any surveys to determine the location of estuaries, sea lochs and straits with potential for electricity generation using tidal flow; and, if so, when each such study is due to finish. [HL5808]
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change & Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): A Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) study, Turning the Tide—Tidal Power in the UK, funded by the Government and published in October 2007, identified the main tidal stream sites with the potential for electricity generation using tidal power. These included sites in the Pentland Firth, Alderney and the north channel. Further assessments on these and other tidal stream sites are outlined in an annexe to the SDC study “Tidal Power in the UK—Research Report 1—Tidal Resource Assessment” at www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications/downloads/TidalPowerUK1-Tidal_resource_assessment.pdf. Further detail on the tidal power resource in the UK can also be found in the UK Marine Renewable Energy Atlas, with the tidal power resource estimates available at www.renewables-atlas.info/.
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty's Government:
What studies are under way to determine whether there are locations where a tidal barrage could provide flood defence while generating electricity. [HL5809]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The cross-government Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study, launched in January 2008, is looking at a range of options for generating electricity from the tidal range resource of the Severn estuary. All these options offer potential flood defence benefits, with the most significant being large barrages and land-connected lagoons. A short list of options that will be examined in more detail in phase 2 of the study, if a decision is taken to proceed, will be the subject of a public consultation early in the new year.
Energy: Geothermal Projects
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
What priority the Department of Energy and Climate Change will give to geothermal projects and development. [HL5723]
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change & Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The consultation on a new UK renewable energy strategy, published in June 2008, explored what more could be done, above and beyond current policies, to increase renewable energy. The Government recognise that deep geothermal power could emerge as a source of renewable
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The Government have already put in place the renewables obligation (RO) to incentivise the production of renewable electricity, and under the proposed banding of the RO innovative renewable technologies such as deep geothermal would be eligible for double the normal rate of financial support per unit of electricity produced. An amendment to the Energy Bill to establish powers to create a renewable heat incentive was laid on 29 October 2008, and heat from deep geothermal plants would be eligible for support under that instrument when and if it is deployed.
Energy: Infrastructure
Lord Jenkin of Roding asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their reaction to the recent decision of the Crown Court in the case in which six Greenpeace activists admitted planning or causing damage to E.ON's power station at Kingsnorth, Kent, in October 2007 but were acquitted by the jury when they pleaded the defence of “lawful excuse” because of their concerns about carbon dioxide emissions; and what measures the Government plan to safeguard future energy infrastructure investments that might face similar direct action by protesters. [HL5392]
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change & Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Lawful and peaceful protest is a democratic right but the Government are equally committed to the rule of law in a democratic society and to tackling illegal activity.
There are a number of measures in place to deal with conduct of this or a similar kind including the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and the offence of aggravated trespass under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. The Government keep the adequacy of the criminal law under review in the light of changing circumstances and any particular issues that arise.
Energy: Lithuania
Lord Teverson asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of the use by European Union member states of Russian energy supplies and the situation regarding energy security, they will support in the Council of Ministers the efforts of the Government of Lithuania to extend the operational life of the Ignalina nuclear plant. [HL5371]
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change & Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): We have been informed of the concerns of the Government of Lithuania, which have highlighted Lithuania's dependence on Russia for gas and electricity, the lack
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We recognise the improvements that have been made to nuclear safety at Ignalina to allow short-term continued electricity generation until 2009, financed through the EU TACIS programme and the UK's Nuclear Safety Programme. The UK also contributed to the Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund—managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development—and delivered a separate UK programme to address the social and economic consequences of nuclear power plant closure. While the agreed timing of the closure of the two reactors at Ignalina was part of a package of pre-EU accession treaty considerations agreed by the Government of Lithuania, we support the view of the EU Commission and other member states that Lithuania should stand by this obligation, freely entered into. However, we also believe that the EU should look sympathetically at the options for mitigating the short-term consequences of closure. The energy security concerns of Lithuania and the other Baltic states would be most appropriately addressed by a combination of an increased focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency and by increased interconnection with the rest of the European Union. We anticipate that the European Commission's upcoming second strategic EU energy review will include proposals on how to help to address the energy isolation of Lithuania and the other Baltic states.
Energy: Severn Barrage
Lord Rowe-Beddoe asked Her Majesty's Government:
When in 2010 the feasibility study on the use of tidal power in the Severn estuary will be published, in light of discussions over the security of energy supply. [HL5827]
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change & Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Subject to internal review, interim findings from the feasibility study will be published in the new year with the full report being published in the first half of 2010.
The feasibility study will consider the impact on security of electricity supply as part of the wider assessment of options.
Food: Pork and Bacon
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much British pork and bacon has been publicly procured by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in each year from 2003 to 2007; and how much was procured in the first six months of 2008. [HL5828]
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The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change & Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I refer the noble Baroness to the report published on the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative, which is available on Defra's website.
Defra again proposes to publish data by the end of 2008 on the proportion of domestically produced food purchased by departments.
Government: IT Equipment
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 15 October (WA 52), whether the replacement by government departments of major information technology equipment is undertaken on a year-by-year basis and constrained by the availability of finance in each particular year. [HL5925]
The Financial Services Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Myners): It is for government departments to plan their future spending requirements, including spending on major information technology equipment. The Government expect departments to plan their spending, including spending on information technology, in a way that ensures it is affordable within existing budgets.
Hong Kong
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many solely British nationals (overseas) have been denied entry to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and deported to the United Kingdom since 1 January 2005; and what reasons were given to the British consulate-general for their exclusion in each case. [HL5591]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We have no records of any British nationals (overseas) ever being refused entry to Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s immigration department has told us that it does not keep such figures. In any case, all BN(O) passport holders hold Hong Kong identity cards, and would normally use those to enter Hong Kong.
India: Dalits
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have responded to reports by Human Rights Watch and the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination concerning violence and discrimination against the Dalit people in India; whether they are taking action through the Commonwealth on this issue; and whether they will ask the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to assist with appropriate education programmes. [HL5461]
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The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The Government have not responded to the reports that Lord Hylton mentions. However, the FCO is in the process of studying them. The UK raised the issue of discrimination against Dalits at the last EU-India Human Rights Dialogue and will continue to raise it on 15 February.
We frequently raise concerns about minority rights including recently with the Indian Government through the EU presidency. India is one of the priority countries for the FCO Human Rights and Democracy Programme. We support projects locally aimed at addressing the structural causes of discrimination against women, ethnic and national minorities and disabled people (and their participation in public and political life).
The FCO has met different organisations that promote the rights of Dalits and has undertaken to support their request to the UN Human Rights Council to publish the special rapporteurs' report on discrimination based on work and descent.
Iraq and Afghanistan: Friendly Fire
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to discuss friendly fire mistakes made in Iraq and Afghanistan by United States military units. [HL5862]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): UK forces are operating in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of multinational efforts in support of UN Security Council resolutions. We constantly review operational issues with those nations deployed alongside UK forces, including the US. The safety of our service personnel, and those of our allies, is of paramount importance and we take all available measures to minimise the risk of friendly fire incidents, but no foolproof means exists to prevent the misidentification of units in a highly complex and stressful battlefield environment.
Maritime Strategy
Lord Selsdon asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): Our strategy remains fundamentally as set out in British Shipping: Charting a New Course. We continue to work with the UK shipping industry and maritime trade unions in pursuit of policies aimed at increasing skills, encouraging employment and training, and maintaining the UK's attractiveness as a quality centre of shipping excellence. We also work with EU member states and others within the International Maritime Organisation to secure the highest achievable levels of maritime safety and pollution prevention.
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Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007
Lord MacKenzie of Culkein asked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will ratify the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007; and whether ratification will be without reservation. [HL6032]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): Her Majesty's Government support ratification and early entry into force of the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007, and the implementing provisions to allow the UK to ratify the convention were included in the draft marine navigation Bill, which recently underwent parliamentary scrutiny.
Subject to parliamentary time being available the Government intend to introduce legislation to implement the convention which will allow it to be ratified as soon as possible.
Should the UK ratify the convention, the Government intend to make use of the option to extend its scope to include our territory and territorial sea and to inform the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) accordingly.
The convention will only enter into force 12 months after the 10th state has deposited an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the secretary-general of the IMO. To date only one state has deposited an instrument of ratification of this convention.
Niger
Viscount Waverley asked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to resolve the current conflict in the Niger Delta; and what humanitarian and other assistance they are providing to the region. [HL5406]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The UK continues to offer its political support for Nigerian-led initiatives to address the conflict in the Niger Delta. Solutions to the delta must include an inclusive peace process which respects the rights and interests of all stakeholders, improvements to the security situation in the short term, and commitment by federal and state Governments to improve governance and the livelihoods of local populations. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister made clear to President Yar'Adua when he visited the UK in July that we stood ready to support the Nigerian Government in their peace initiatives. My honourable friend Malcolm Wicks, Minister of State at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and I reiterated UK support during our visits to Nigeria in August and September respectively.
The Government fund a number of projects to promote development and participatory governance in Nigeria and specifically in the delta. As agreed with President Yar'Adua during his visit, the Government
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Parades: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Crawley on 22 July (WA 275-76), concerning the use of monitors by the Northern Ireland Parades Commission, whether the monitors are selected so as to represent the whole of the community and to have its confidence. [HL5937]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 22 July 2008 (Official Report, col. WA276).
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Who acted as monitors for the Northern Ireland Parades Commission in each of the past three years. [HL5938]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 21 July 2008 (Official Report, col. WA 220).
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