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Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill

Clause 3 was the subject of much debate in Committee. When developing our views on the need for microgeneration targets, we will consult a wide range of people and organisations as a matter of course. That makes amendment No. 7 superfluous. Regions will be able to set their own targets for microgeneration within any national target that we may set, and it would be more appropriate for them to do so, rather than central Government setting them. On those grounds, I oppose amendments Nos. 8, 9, 10, 16, 18 and 20. Amendments Nos. 30 and 31 would remove the provisions that give the Secretary of State the ability to revise any target that may have been set. Given that the microgeneration industry is in its early stages, it is important to have the flexibility to ensure that targets remain realistic but challenging. Amendments Nos. 17 and 19 appear to be drafting amendments, for which I find no need, but Government amendments Nos. 36, 37 and 38 improve the Bill, and I hope that they have hon. Members’ support. We support the retention of clause 6 as drafted, without amendment No. 12. The word ““appropriate”” is deliberately broad, whereas amendment No. 12, tabled by the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth), might be too prescriptive, as we may wish to consider other things when making such a decision. However, I assure him that when considering whether to use the powers in clause 6, we will, as always, ensure that we do so in a way that is effective and cost-effective, as well as environmentally beneficial. In summary, I support amendments Nos. 36, 37 and 38, and I oppose amendments Nos. 7, 8 to 10, 12, 16 to 20, 30 and 31.