Michael McCann
Main Page: Michael McCann (Labour - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)(12 years, 6 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
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Gregory Barker
Of course, in socialist Spain we have seen boom and bust writ large, with the entire solar tariff scheme collapsing, causing a complete run in confidence. Elsewhere across Europe, we have also seen massive falls in solar prices. The more nimble, smarter tariff schemes have adjusted down their tariffs. We aim to get ours on a par with something similar to that in Germany.
Mr Michael McCann (East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow) (Lab)
Proven Energy, a firm in my constituency, went bust because of the inadequacies of the planning regulations for small wind energy. For that reason, the 55 people now on the dole do not accept the Government’s proposition that they are the greenest Government ever. What evidence can the Minister give me that today’s announcement will be any different from previous commitments and that this is not just empty rhetoric with no substance?
Gregory Barker
It will not be a surprise that I disagree strongly with the hon. Gentleman. We are the greenest Government ever. This is the Government who have put £3 billion into a green investment bank; who have cut their emissions by 13.5%, despite Opposition Members saying that it was not possible; and who are backing green energy and have an ambitious plan for a whole range of technologies, and who are not one-club golfing.