---

Energy Bill

We on these Benches certainly appreciate the fact that deep geothermal energy in the form of heat or ultimately electricity, whether or not technically renewable energy, might well be a necessary and efficient form of production, so we thank the noble Lord, Lord Teverson, for moving the amendment. It gives us the opportunity to ask a couple of questions of the Minister. First, what progress has been made in assessing the capacity for geothermal energy production? Secondly, does he foresee this form of energy playing a significant part in the United Kingdom’s future energy mix?