Fourth Carbon Budget

Nigel Evans Excerpts

Tuesday 17th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

Order. I ask hon. Members to respect the convention that they do not question the Secretary of State if they were not here for the entirety of his statement.

[Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk) (Con)]

This is a most welcome decision by the Government. Does my right hon. Friend agree that there are considerable potential economic advantages for Britain in leading the world towards a lower carbon economy? Does he further agree that, although it is understandable that the Government should wish to retain the option of purchasing credits in order to achieve the target, the sooner that option is ruled out, the greater the incentive will be for British business to invest in low-carbon technology?