Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 7th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

David “Top Cat” Davies. [Laughter.]

[David T. C. Davies]

That’s fine by me, Mr Speaker.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that renewable energy sources are two to three times more expensive than fossil fuels and therefore the more renewables we use, the more fuel poverty we will create?

[Mr Speaker]

The explanation should be intelligible to the people beyond, and the explanation is that the middle initials are T. C. My apologies to the hon. Gentleman, who seems duly delighted.

[Amber Rudd]

I do not share my hon. Friend’s view. I think it is essential that energy supplies are a mix, and that means a combination of fossil fuels, for now, and renewable energy. Investing in renewable energy is an essential part of energy security, as well as of decarbonising and meeting those targets.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There is a veritable army of Opposition Members seeking to catch my eye, but as a practitioner of diversity and inclusion I say to the right hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr Lilley) that I do not want him to feel excluded. He wished to contribute earlier. If he wishes to contribute now, we will happily hear him.

[Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con)]

indicated dissent.

[Mr Speaker]

Not at the moment. Very well, but as soon as he wants to he can.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, and never forgotten, I call Mr Skinner.

[Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab)]

With the Chinese economy hitting the buffers week after week, does it make sense to continue with this Chinese connection and nuclear power in Britain? Is it not time it was abandoned? The shine is being knocked off it every single day. Will the Secretary of State change her mind?