I wonder whether the hon. Gentleman's remarks should be addressed in some way—perhaps they are—to the Climate Change Committee, which will be protective of its independence. If it is to do its job seriously, he should not worry too much. Perhaps we will know the answer to the questions posed...

I wonder whether the hon. Gentleman's remarks should be addressed in some way—perhaps they are—to the Climate Change Committee, which will be protective of its independence. If it is to do its job seriously, he should not worry too much. Perhaps we will know the answer to the questions posed...

My hon. Friend is sitting behind me, but I guess he cannot read my handwriting from there. My second point was precisely that—I had written, ““overseas credits bring 'wrong' technology””. From a developmental point of view, there is a place for assisting developing countries to deal with carbon emissions in...

My hon. Friend is sitting behind me, but I guess he cannot read my handwriting from there. My second point was precisely that—I had written, ““overseas credits bring 'wrong' technology””. From a developmental point of view, there is a place for assisting developing countries to deal with carbon emissions in...

I shall address the comments of the hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) first. As he knows from many debates that we have had, it is our strong view that setting a binding limit in the Bill would send the wrong signal to our international partners about our support for...

I shall address the comments of the hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) first. As he knows from many debates that we have had, it is our strong view that setting a binding limit in the Bill would send the wrong signal to our international partners about our support for...

I have a good deal of confidence in the Climate Change Committee, but that Committee does not make the decisions—the Government do. The question lies with that final link in the chain. I make no apologies for egging—not over-egging—this pudding because we need the Government to take the conclusions of...

I have a good deal of confidence in the Climate Change Committee, but that Committee does not make the decisions—the Government do. The question lies with that final link in the chain. I make no apologies for egging—not over-egging—this pudding because we need the Government to take the conclusions of...

I agree with what the hon. Gentleman says; there is no dispute between us. As I have just tried to say, we have made a commitment and we want to see a great change take place in this country. Many of us have argued for many years that environmental technologies—new...

I agree with what the hon. Gentleman says; there is no dispute between us. As I have just tried to say, we have made a commitment and we want to see a great change take place in this country. Many of us have argued for many years that environmental technologies—new...

Is not the central point that creating a green economy requires enormous technical advance, and that it is the incentives the system sets up for that technical advance—not for the adoption of existing technologies but for new technologies—that really matter? That is why a domestic effort limit is so important.

Is not the central point that creating a green economy requires enormous technical advance, and that it is the incentives the system sets up for that technical advance—not for the adoption of existing technologies but for new technologies—that really matter? That is why a domestic effort limit is so important.

I thank my hon. Friend for this contribution; I could not agree with him more, because this matter is tremendously important. Much criticism of the CDM has been made, some of which is entirely justified, but the Government have worked very hard to ensure that improvements are made. We believe...

I thank my hon. Friend for this contribution; I could not agree with him more, because this matter is tremendously important. Much criticism of the CDM has been made, some of which is entirely justified, but the Government have worked very hard to ensure that improvements are made. We believe...

Does my hon. Friend agree that our concern is perhaps not so much with the level of the cap—I would prefer a high one—but about the quality of the credits that can be bought? There has been great debate about the quality of the clean development mechanism—CDM—credits that have been...

Does my hon. Friend agree that our concern is perhaps not so much with the level of the cap—I would prefer a high one—but about the quality of the credits that can be bought? There has been great debate about the quality of the clean development mechanism—CDM—credits that have been...

Is there not another important point? As the hon. Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry) said, the important thing is to create a new economy, and the question is: where in the world are we likely to get technical change of the sort that we need? Is it here in the...

Is there not another important point? As the hon. Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry) said, the important thing is to create a new economy, and the question is: where in the world are we likely to get technical change of the sort that we need? Is it here in the...

The Secretary of State is shaking his head, but Ministers have said from the Dispatch Box that these things do not matter any more because there is an overall cap. It would be horrific if Britain were to send a signal to the world, through its decisions about airport expansion,...

The Secretary of State is shaking his head, but Ministers have said from the Dispatch Box that these things do not matter any more because there is an overall cap. It would be horrific if Britain were to send a signal to the world, through its decisions about airport expansion,...

I can already see Members lining up when the next private Members' Bills are announced to introduce one to extend these powers to cover the Government's snowplough sheds. I thank the Minister for her courteous and generous remarks. Credit should go to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and...

I can already see Members lining up when the next private Members' Bills are announced to introduce one to extend these powers to cover the Government's snowplough sheds. I thank the Minister for her courteous and generous remarks. Credit should go to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and...

My hon. Friend is obviously referring to existing buildings. I do not expect that we would in any way seek to deal retrospectively with such cases. That does not mean that we not very committed and anxious to do what we can to improve energy efficiency throughout the Government estate....

My hon. Friend is obviously referring to existing buildings. I do not expect that we would in any way seek to deal retrospectively with such cases. That does not mean that we not very committed and anxious to do what we can to improve energy efficiency throughout the Government estate....

Will the Minister also clarify whether the measure will include outsourced buildings? They are clearly run for the state, but by private companies. Will there be some pressure on those private companies, too, to have a zero-carbon approach?

Will the Minister also clarify whether the measure will include outsourced buildings? They are clearly run for the state, but by private companies. Will there be some pressure on those private companies, too, to have a zero-carbon approach?

I shall check—but I understand that we have been through that a number of times, and that we have said that the measure will apply to new buildings that are required. I shall make absolutely sure that I am correct to say that, but my understanding is that the measure...

I shall check—but I understand that we have been through that a number of times, and that we have said that the measure will apply to new buildings that are required. I shall make absolutely sure that I am correct to say that, but my understanding is that the measure...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind words. We have to accept the criticisms that have been made of us in the past by the chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission. I would hate ever to be the cause of depression for that fine gentleman, but we have put...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind words. We have to accept the criticisms that have been made of us in the past by the chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission. I would hate ever to be the cause of depression for that fine gentleman, but we have put...

Will the Minister clarify what she just said? Does the measure apply to the procurement of refurbished buildings as opposed to new ones?

Will the Minister clarify what she just said? Does the measure apply to the procurement of refurbished buildings as opposed to new ones?

I beg to move,"That the House does not insist on its amendment No. 48 and agrees with Lords amendment No. 48A in lieu thereof, the Commons being willing to waive its privileges in respect of the Lords Amendment." Lords amendment No. 48A is a redrafted version of amendment No. 48,...

I beg to move,"That the House does not insist on its amendment No. 48 and agrees with Lords amendment No. 48A in lieu thereof, the Commons being willing to waive its privileges in respect of the Lords Amendment." Lords amendment No. 48A is a redrafted version of amendment No. 48,...

I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendment No. 43A to its Amendment No. 43. Lords amendment 43A to Commons amendment No. 43 was tabled by my noble Friend Lord Hunt of Kings Heath in the other place in response to a recommendation from the Delegated Powers...

I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendment No. 43A to its Amendment No. 43. Lords amendment 43A to Commons amendment No. 43 was tabled by my noble Friend Lord Hunt of Kings Heath in the other place in response to a recommendation from the Delegated Powers...

indicated dissent.

indicated dissent.