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To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much energy is released into the atmosphere in the form of waste heat by the UK's electricity generating industry annually.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much energy is released into the atmosphere in the form of waste heat by the UK's electricity generating industry annually.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Energy and Climate Change
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
6 June 2016
For answer on
20 June 2016
Answered on
13 June 2016
Analysis from the Association of Decentralised Energy estimates that just under 10% of UK power stations capture their heat currently. The UK has a number of policies in place to promote the use of heat produced as a by-product from the UK’s electricity generation industry. These include incentives for good quality combined heat and power (CHP), as well as the £320m Heat Networks Investment Project which will encourage capital investment in hundreds of heat networks, which can use not only heat from power stations but also others sources of waste heat such as industrial processes.
Subjects
Electricity generation; Heating; Waste
Date
13 June 2016
Reference
HL463
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I declare a sort of interest: I used to drive a petrol-engine car, which averaged 26 miles to the gallon. I have replaced it with a diesel-engine car, which can average more than 50 miles to the gallon, and I am not the only person in the country in that situation. Does my noble friend agree that the normal evolution of business dictates that businesses come into and pass out of cycle, and that the real question we should be discussing in relation to Coryton is not how much we might spend to keep it continuing in an industry that is already oversupplied but how we can evolve the site so that it has a long-term viable future and how quickly we can reopen it?
My Lords, I declare a sort of interest: I used to drive a petrol-engine car, which averaged 26 miles to the gallon. I have replaced it with a diesel-engine car, which can average more than 50 miles to the gallon, and I am not the only person in the country in that situation. Does my noble friend agree that the normal evolution of business dictates that businesses come into and pass out of cycle, and that the real question we should be discussing in relation to Coryton is not how much we might spend to keep it continuing in an industry that is already oversupplied but how we can evolve the site so that it has a long-term viable future and how quickly we can reopen it?
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 June 2012
I agree with my noble friend. As I made clear in an earlier answer, the Government are looking not just at the current and immediate situation of Coryton but at our nation’s long-term refining needs—something that we are taking very seriously. So far as I can see, that did not happen in the years just before we came into government.
Subjects
Closures; Essex; Oil; Refineries
Date
21 June 2012
Reference
737 c1862
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I wonder if I might return to the subject of the original Question. Will the noble Lord consider retaining one of our courtyards in an uncleaned state as a permanent reminder to all of us of the casual environmental damage we sometimes cause, which reveals itself only many years after we have caused it?
My Lords, I wonder if I might return to the subject of the original Question. Will the noble Lord consider retaining one of our courtyards in an uncleaned state as a permanent reminder to all of us of the casual environmental damage we sometimes cause, which reveals itself only many years after we have caused it?
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
30 April 2012
That is an interesting suggestion. I am old enough to remember the great London smogs that caused this damage to the building in the first place, and therefore on the face of it the noble Lord's suggestion is a good one. However, I would resist it because of the damage being done to the building as of now, and therefore it is necessary to get on with cleaning and repairing it.
Subjects
House of Lords; Palace of Westminster; Repairs and maintenance
Date
30 April 2012
Reference
736 c1928
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the service life-expectancy in years of the pillars which are sunk into the seabed and on which wind turbine towers and generators are mounted in maritime wind farms for which they have granted permission.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the service life-expectancy in years of the pillars which are sunk into the seabed and on which wind turbine towers and generators are mounted in maritime wind farms for which they have granted permission.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Marland
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
13 December 2011
The life expectancy of offshore wind turbine foundations and towers is typically assumed to be 25 years.
Subjects
Seas and oceans; Wind power
Date
13 December 2011
Reference
14112; 733 c237-8WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the service life-expectancy in years of wind turbine towers mounted on the pillars in the seabed in maritime wind farms for which they have granted permission.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the service life-expectancy in years of wind turbine towers mounted on the pillars in the seabed in maritime wind farms for which they have granted permission.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Marland
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
13 December 2011
The life expectancy of offshore wind turbine foundations and towers is typically assumed to be 25 years.
Subjects
Seas and oceans; Wind power
Date
13 December 2011
Reference
14113; 733 c238WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the service life-expectancy in years of the under-sea electric cables used to transmit into the National Grid the electricity generated from maritime wind farms for which they have granted permission.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the service life-expectancy in years of the under-sea electric cables used to transmit into the National Grid the electricity generated from maritime wind farms for which they have granted permission.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Marland
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
13 December 2011
Experience of onshore underground cables that have been properly manufactured and installed, then operated within their designed rating, indicates that a life-expectancy of 40 to 60 years and probably more is achievable. It is currently the subject of a number of international research programmes to predict just what additional life-expectancy there may be. Experience with submarine cable is limited compared with onshore underground cables and there is no comparable body of statistical evidence for prediction of life-expectancy. Equally, there is no evidence of premature failure of such installations.
As submarine cable technology is so similar to onshore cable technology there is no reason to predict that life expectancy will be any less than onshore installations for properly designed, installed and operated systems.
Subjects
Electric cables; Seas and oceans; Wind power; National grid
Date
13 December 2011
Reference
14111; 733 c237WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the present situation in our airports was predicted 45 years ago, I think. There was a very reasonable proposal to put an airport in the Thames estuary, which would remove the constraints that are inevitable anywhere west of London. Perhaps my noble friend might care to comment on that possibility, as it is being raised again. At least, if that strategic decision were taken, there would be the possibility of a long-term solution.
My Lords, the present situation in our airports was predicted 45 years ago, I think. There was a very reasonable proposal to put an airport in the Thames estuary, which would remove the constraints that are inevitable anywhere west of London. Perhaps my noble friend might care to comment on that possibility, as it is being raised again. At least, if that strategic decision were taken, there would be the possibility of a long-term solution.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 September 2011
My Lords, we welcome all these suggestions. The mayor’s input and suggestions will be considered alongside the many other contributions to the debate about our future airport aviation policy.
Subjects
Heathrow Airport
Date
12 September 2011
Reference
730 c499
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, many types of lightweight freight are completely inappropriate for rail travel. At a time when all public expenditure is under critical examination, to improve productivity and to reduce costs, does my noble friend agree that it is appropriate to review all our regulatory systems at the same time, so that economic or environmental performance on this particular transport question can be improved wherever possible?
My Lords, many types of lightweight freight are completely inappropriate for rail travel. At a time when all public expenditure is under critical examination, to improve productivity and to reduce costs, does my noble friend agree that it is appropriate to review all our regulatory systems at the same time, so that economic or environmental performance on this particular transport question can be improved wherever possible?
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 December 2010
My Lords, before responding to that question, I should first declare an interest as I know Mr Dick Denby, who is a proponent of a longer and heavier vehicle. I have also received engineering advice from his designer on a pro bono basis. Mr Denby has done the country a great service by opening up this issue. As a result, this Government and our predecessor have been looking at a small increase in the length of an articulated vehicle to address precisely the concern of my noble friend: that low-density goods are bulking out, rather than grossing out, our current range of goods vehicles.
Subjects
Large goods vehicles
Date
1 December 2010
Reference
722 c1475-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to permit a trial of longer and heavier vehicles on roads; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the use of such vehicles on rail freight.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to permit a trial of longer and heavier vehicles on roads; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the use of such vehicles on rail freight.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Answered by
Earl Attlee
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
1 December 2010
Answered on
1 December 2010
My Lords, the Government have made it clear that they have no intention of permitting any trials of goods vehicles longer than 18.75 metres or heavier than 44 tonnes. The Government are awaiting the conclusions of research into a small increment in the length of articulated lorries, but this would provide no more loading capacity than is currently possible with a rigid draw-bar combination lorry.
Subjects
Large goods vehicles
Date
1 December 2010
Reference
722 c1475
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that response. There is evidence that the present testing regime correctly identifies the presence of tuberculosis within a herd, but no longer identifies all the infected animals so that after a series of tests, a residue of infection is left within the herd which can continue to spread the disease despite the removal of the identified animals. Will the noble Lord ask the Government to conduct a thorough review of the implications of this? The existing regime is not satisfactory and there are managerial consequences for biosecurity on the farm. Although this programme was very successful half a century ago, it is not working now. We are effectively burning pound notes.
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that response. There is evidence that the present testing regime correctly identifies the presence of tuberculosis within a herd, but no longer identifies all the infected animals so that after a series of tests, a residue of infection is left within the herd which can continue to spread the disease despite the removal of the identified animals. Will the noble Lord ask the Government to conduct a thorough review of the implications of this? The existing regime is not satisfactory and there are managerial consequences for biosecurity on the farm. Although this programme was very successful half a century ago, it is not working now. We are effectively burning pound notes.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 July 2010
My Lords, I accept that there are occasions when using the current test—what I have described as the internationally accepted comparative test—that some cattle are missed. If we move to another test, known as the single test, there is a possibility of a greater number of what are described as false positives, which again would not be satisfactory. A further test is used, a blood test which is known as the gamma test, and we can look at it. I can give my noble friend an assurance that we will look at all three, but for the moment we think that the comparative test is the best one to use.
Subjects
Cattle; Disease control; Testing; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
22 July 2010
Reference
720 c1064
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the practice of skin testing for bovine tuberculosis followed by the slaughter of reactors will eliminate the disease from the national herd.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the practice of skin testing for bovine tuberculosis followed by the slaughter of reactors will eliminate the disease from the national herd.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Henley
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
22 July 2010
Answered on
22 July 2010
Tuberculin skin tests are the internationally accepted standard for detecting TB. Many countries have eradicated TB using a test and slaughter approach. In England, evidence suggests that without addressing the disease in badgers, it will be impossible to eradicate TB in cattle. The department has committed to developing affordable options for a carefully managed and science-led policy of badger control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine TB.
Subjects
Cattle; Disease control; Testing; Bovine tuberculosis
Date
22 July 2010
Reference
720 c1063-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the report from E4tech appears to indicate that a spectrum of biofuels fails to meet the EU’s standards for emissions reduction. Does that not reinforce the case made by my noble friend Lord Taylor for a major review of the work that the EU is promoting in this sector to ensure that we are getting value for money on the large sums that are being used for agricultural support in this area?
My Lords, the report from E4tech appears to indicate that a spectrum of biofuels fails to meet the EU’s standards for emissions reduction. Does that not reinforce the case made by my noble friend Lord Taylor for a major review of the work that the EU is promoting in this sector to ensure that we are getting value for money on the large sums that are being used for agricultural support in this area?
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
18 March 2010
My Lords, as I said in my answer to the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, it is precisely for that reason that we are conducting that research at the moment. We will ensure that the European Commission takes full account of it when determining future policy.
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c668
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 10 December 2009 (WA 160), whether there are security concerns arising from Google Earth’s ability to display the entrances and road frontages of properties owned and utilised by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 10 December 2009 (WA 160), whether there are security concerns arising from Google Earth’s ability to display the entrances and road frontages of properties owned and utilised by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Taylor of Bolton
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
28 January 2010
The Ministry of Defence keeps under review the impact of all technical advances in aerial surveillance and the wider public availability of images of UK defence establishments. Individual establishments may request the pixilation of all or part of MoD sites in appropriate cases.
Subjects
Armed forces; Internet; Property; Photographs; Surveillance; Security; Google
Date
28 January 2010
Reference
1258; 716 c368WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they authorised Google Earth to photograph streets in the United Kingdom for publication on the internet; and, if so, whether it was a requirement of that authorisation that Google Earth obtains the permission of local residents before photographing their property or street.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they authorised Google Earth to photograph streets in the United Kingdom for publication on the internet; and, if so, whether it was a requirement of that authorisation that Google Earth obtains the permission of local residents before photographing their property or street.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 December 2009
I am replying as the Ministry of Justice is responsible for data protection policy.
No authorisation is required for taking photographs of streets in the United Kingdom for publication on the internet.
The Data Protection Act 1998 is administered and enforced by the Information Commissioner's Office independently of government.
The Information Commissioner has issued advice about Google Street View, one of Google Earth's features. The commissioner's view is that Google Street View is very unlikely to breach the Data Protection Act 1998. The full document: can be accessed at the Commissioner's website at http://www.ico.gov.uk/global/search.aspx?collection=ico&keywords=street+ view.
Subjects
Data protection; Internet; Property; Photographs; Google
Date
10 December 2009
Reference
318; 715 c160-1WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. A survey by National Energy Services reveals either almost total ignorance or disregard of the need for energy performance certificates in the commercial sector. Energy performance certificates are the one really useful tool to come out of the Government’s regulation of the property market. Around 11,000 accredited energy inspectors, largely trained at their own expense, are wondering why Her Majesty’s Government encouraged them to undertake their training. What steps are the Government considering to overcome this failure?
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. A survey by National Energy Services reveals either almost total ignorance or disregard of the need for energy performance certificates in the commercial sector. Energy performance certificates are the one really useful tool to come out of the Government’s regulation of the property market. Around 11,000 accredited energy inspectors, largely trained at their own expense, are wondering why Her Majesty’s Government encouraged them to undertake their training. What steps are the Government considering to overcome this failure?
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 July 2009
My Lords, I certainly support the noble Lord in underlining the importance of EPCs because they play a vital role in energy policy. As I said in my response, we are proposing to assess levels of compliance later this year and have commissioned a comprehensive research project that is to be carried out in two phases. The first phase will look at the operational effectiveness of the current arrangements and the second at compliance and value for money. It is due to report finally in the summer of next year. I can tell the noble Lord that to date some 92,000 non-domestic EPCs have been lodged on the register, so it is having some effect. However, there are issues around non-compliance which need to be seriously addressed.
Subjects
Business premises; Energy performance certificates
Date
2 July 2009
Reference
712 c323-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the level of compliance with the requirement to provide energy performance certificates for buildings being sold in the commercial property sector.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the level of compliance with the requirement to provide energy performance certificates for buildings being sold in the commercial property sector.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord McKenzie of Luton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
2 July 2009
Answered on
2 July 2009
My Lords, no assessment has been made. Energy performance certificates have only been required for all non-domestic buildings constructed, sold or rented since October 2008. Local weights and measures authorities are responsible for enforcing these requirements. We support them in carrying out their duties by providing guidance and access to the EPC register and database. We will assess the level of compliance later this year.
Subjects
Business premises; Energy performance certificates
Date
2 July 2009
Reference
712 c323
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, will the Minister accept that the word "org", hideous though it is, would be more appropriate to indicate the independence of the Supreme Court than the word "gov", another horrible word?
My Lords, will the Minister accept that the word "org", hideous though it is, would be more appropriate to indicate the independence of the Supreme Court than the word "gov", another horrible word?
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
23 April 2009
My Lords, the House is being extremely helpful this morning.
Subjects
Supreme Court
Date
23 April 2009
Reference
709 c1603
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, for a decade the Government flooded society with regulations on the assumption that the good times would continue, and HIPs are of course a classic. Seventy-four per cent of the people who buy houses—these are the Government’s figures—take no notice of home information packs in their purchase deal and it is an inhibiting factor from the point of view of the vendor. However, the real question that I wish to ask is as follows. There are a number of factors in secondary legislation brought in by this Government which cumulatively are making it more difficult for the general economy to recover. Will the Minister ask her colleagues in government to commit themselves to a general review of secondary legislation so that any inhibiting factors which are discovered—I am sure that there are plenty of others—might be removed?
My Lords, for a decade the Government flooded society with regulations on the assumption that the good times would continue, and HIPs are of course a classic. Seventy-four per cent of the people who buy houses—these are the Government’s figures—take no notice of home information packs in their purchase deal and it is an inhibiting factor from the point of view of the vendor. However, the real question that I wish to ask is as follows. There are a number of factors in secondary legislation brought in by this Government which cumulatively are making it more difficult for the general economy to recover. Will the Minister ask her colleagues in government to commit themselves to a general review of secondary legislation so that any inhibiting factors which are discovered—I am sure that there are plenty of others—might be removed?
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
23 March 2009
My Lords, I am sure the noble Lord will know that we are committed to an ambitious agenda of regulatory reform, cutting down unnecessary costs and improving the cost-effectiveness of new regulation. We have to do that while keeping essential protections for employees and employers. Abandoning the forthcoming changes on HIPs, which are intended to consolidate the regulations and provide industry with certainty and stability, would not help that process. I am delighted to say that, despite the current difficulties facing the housing market, a recent survey of 16,000 transactions by a leading estate agent, Connells, showed that, where a HIP was available, exchanges were completed on average six days quicker.
Subjects
Housing; Home information packs; Sales; Regulation; Housing market; Prices
Date
23 March 2009
Reference
709 c446
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of current housing market conditions, they will abandon the requirement to provide home information packs.
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I declare an interest as I own a small number of farm cottages.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of current housing market conditions, they will abandon the requirement to provide home information packs.
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I declare an interest as I own a small number of farm cottages.
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Andrews
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
23 March 2009
Answered on
23 March 2009
My Lords, the current problems facing the housing market were caused not by HIPs but by the global economic downturn. Independent research undertaken by Europe Economics found no evidence of any impact by HIPs on transactions or prices.
Subjects
Housing; Home information packs; Prices; Housing market
Date
23 March 2009
Reference
709 c446
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, can the Lord Chairman give the House some examples of the way that the parliamentary offset fund is being spent?
My Lords, can the Lord Chairman give the House some examples of the way that the parliamentary offset fund is being spent?
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 July 2008
No, my Lords. It goes into the government scheme operated by Defra, but where the money goes, I would not know.
Subjects
House of Lords; Pollution control; Staff; Peers; Travel; Carbon emissions
Date
16 July 2008
Reference
703 c1240
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords