Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julian Smith and Lord Barker of Battle

Thursday 27th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Gregory Barker]

We take this issue very seriously. We want to ensure that every payment method reflects the cost fairly, and that there is no gaming between the different methods. The issue will form part of our competition test, and we are also working on it closely with Ofgem.

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

T7. CNG is a north Yorkshire success story, serving gas customers, small businesses and small corporations, but it is anxious about entering the domestic market because of the burden of regulation, compliance costs and risk costs. Can we do any more to encourage companies such as CNG to enter the domestic gas market?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julian Smith and Lord Barker of Battle

Thursday 1st December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Gregory Barker]

The hon. Gentleman makes a legitimate point. Obviously, we are concerned about any job losses anywhere in the economy, and I will, of course, be very happy to meet him and his hon. Friend.

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

As Leeds, Yorkshire is the second largest financial centre in the UK and a leader in green energy investment, does the ministerial team agree that it is the ideal location for the Green investment bank?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julian Smith and Lord Barker of Battle

Thursday 16th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)]

Communities are where big society meets big energy, and the coalition intends to drive new community-led, low-carbon energy projects with strong financial incentives and better information and guidance. We have already acted to allow local authorities to sell the energy that they generate.

[Julian Smith]

Speaking to representatives of the excellent Settle hydro scheme in my constituency, I was struck by the amount of red tape that they have had to deal with to get the project off the ground, and the legal action that they have had to deal with from environmental groups. Will my hon. Friend make it as easy as possible for community energy projects to get off the ground in the coming 12 months?

[Gregory Barker]

The Settle micro-hydro scheme is exactly the sort of scheme that we want to see more of and encourage, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right: we need to make it easier for communities to take the initiative. That is why we are making it easier to get through the planning system and providing more financial incentives; and we have also launched a website to give people the information they need.