Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Oral Answers to Questions

Duncan Hames Excerpts
Thursday 11th November 2010

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Barker of Battle Portrait Gregory Barker
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Really, is he still banging on with the first half-year’s crib sheet? I thought the hon. Gentleman had come with some fresh material.

We are absolutely committed to a thriving nuclear industry, not just for the domestic sector but for export opportunities. Participants in the industry to whom I talk are very confident about the outlook for the British nuclear industry.

Duncan Hames Portrait Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)
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4. What discussions he has had on climate change financing in the UN Secretary-General’s high-level advisory group on climate change financing.

Lord Barker of Battle Portrait The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)
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Over the past year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had wide-ranging discussions on potential sources of climate change financing as part of his involvement in the high-level advisory group on climate change financing. The discussions have focused on how developed countries can meet their Copenhagen accord commitment to mobilising $100 billion a year of public and private finance by 2020, to assist poorer countries with the climate challenge.

Duncan Hames Portrait Duncan Hames
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I thank the Minister for that reply, which I am sure we will be able to explore further in my Westminster Hall debate on Cancun next week. Last week’s report should be welcomed for presenting several innovative sources of climate finance, including a tax on aviation and shipping. When can we expect the Government to set out concrete proposals for taking forward any of those options?

Lord Barker of Battle Portrait Gregory Barker
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They were of course options for the international community, not just for the UK, and we need to do a lot more work collectively to put the flesh on the bones of detailed and radical proposals so that the UK can consider each of them on their merits. I fear that there is still some time to go before we are in a position to do that, but the UK is very much committed to the process and to doing so sooner rather than later.