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Energy Bill

I was not going to intervene in this debate but the noble Lord, Lord Jenkin, reminded me that I was present at one of his meetings with Mr Michael Meacher. He is absolutely right that there was some deep resistance, particularly in what is now my noble friend’s department, to what seemed to me to be a very sensible proposition. I support the biomethane approach outlined by the noble Lord, Lord Redesdale, but the Government need to look again at the broader issue of methane. A number of prejudices seem to have been overcome in government departments in relation to renewable and low-carbon energy, but some remain. Like the noble Lord, Lord Jenkin, at that meeting I was completely bamboozled as to why the officials advising us took such a strong line. I do not expect my noble friend to respond today but perhaps he will make a few inquiries.