Called-in Planning Decision: West Cumbria

Clive Efford Excerpts
Thursday 8th December 2022

(1 year, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am tempted to say that any tree that is hugged by my hon. Friend is a very lucky tree.

On the substance of the very important point that my hon. Friend makes, yes, in order to ensure that we have a transition to net zero we do need to reduce our reliance on a variety of different materials. However, as the inspector makes clear, and as my hon. Friend quite rightly points out, the economic benefits that this development brings to the north-west are also entirely consistent with our broader environmental ambitions.

Clive Efford Portrait Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

The right hon. Member for Reading West (Alok Sharma), the former President of COP, says that 85% of this coal will be exported. Is he wrong?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The inspector makes it clear in his report that, by sourcing coal from this mine, there will be a beneficial effect in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.