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Energy Bill

I have been tabling Questions for Written Answer on what will happen to the proceeds of these auctions. There has been some pressure to suggest that, when the money is raised through the auctions, it should be earmarked for energy and environmental purposes. However, the Answers I have received from the Minister in Defra said that the usual Treasury rules will apply and that it would not be earmarked or ring-fenced in any way, but that it would simply go into the general pot to be part of the revenue that will finance the Government’s total expenditure. I wonder whether that is right. I do not want to insist that one way or the other is right, but it seems that these have a rather special origin and, perhaps, might deserve some special treatment. It would be very helpful if the Minister could say anything about that.