To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment she has made of the viability of kaolinite-rich clay mining in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment she has made of the viability of kaolinite-rich clay mining in Wales.

Cornwall produces the world’s finest china clay, but the industry faces a significant increase in its costs due to the proposed implementation of the EU emissions trading scheme. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Government should do all they can to make sure British industry is not put at a competitive disadvantage as a result of energy costs, and will she meet me specifically to discuss what we can do to support the china clay industry?

Cornwall produces the world’s finest china clay, but the industry faces a significant increase in its costs due to the proposed implementation of the EU emissions trading scheme. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Government should do all they can to make sure British industry is not put at a competitive disadvantage as a result of energy costs, and will she meet me specifically to discuss what we can do to support the china clay industry?

I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend, who I know is a strong champion for the china clay industry in his constituency. The EU ETS provides an important role in levelling out competitiveness within the EU to make sure that our intensive industries are protected. I will meet him to ensure that his industry receives a fair settlement.

I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend, who I know is a strong champion for the china clay industry in his constituency. The EU ETS provides an important role in levelling out competitiveness within the EU to make sure that our intensive industries are protected. I will meet him to ensure that his industry receives a fair settlement.

I rise tonight to speak about the recent news of significant job losses in my constituency in the china clay mining industry. First, let me put it on the record that I, on behalf of the communities that I represent, thank the emergency services, local councils, Cornwall council, the Environment...

I rise tonight to speak about the recent news of significant job losses in my constituency in the china clay mining industry. First, let me put it on the record that I, on behalf of the communities that I represent, thank the emergency services, local councils, Cornwall council, the Environment...

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Stephen Gilbert) on securing a debate on this important issue. We recognise the importance of the china clay industry to his constituency and to the region as a whole. It is inextricably woven into the industrial fabric of...

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Stephen Gilbert) on securing a debate on this important issue. We recognise the importance of the china clay industry to his constituency and to the region as a whole. It is inextricably woven into the industrial fabric of...

Agreed to on question.

Agreed to on question.

I make no apology for following my noble friend Lady Gardner on the same point. We all recognise that the local authority emergency planning services have a responsibility put on them by these regulations. It is perfectly fair that plans must be put in place in case of an emergency....

I make no apology for following my noble friend Lady Gardner on the same point. We all recognise that the local authority emergency planning services have a responsibility put on them by these regulations. It is perfectly fair that plans must be put in place in case of an emergency....

I declare an interest as a member of the all-party minerals group. I agree with every word that the noble Lord, Lord Rennard, said; he has obviously been approached in the same way that I was about this matter. I also attended the meeting of the all-party group where the...

I declare an interest as a member of the all-party minerals group. I agree with every word that the noble Lord, Lord Rennard, said; he has obviously been approached in the same way that I was about this matter. I also attended the meeting of the all-party group where the...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his presentation and introduction of the regulations. They are indeed a blockbuster, by any standards, of mind-boggling detail. I suppose that I should not grumble, because I remember that when we were discussing the previous lot of permitting regulations, among other considerations we...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his presentation and introduction of the regulations. They are indeed a blockbuster, by any standards, of mind-boggling detail. I suppose that I should not grumble, because I remember that when we were discussing the previous lot of permitting regulations, among other considerations we...

My Lords, the regulations are being made to streamline and simplify our environmental permitting arrangements while—this is important—continuing to safeguard the environment and human health. Noble Lords will know that many potentially polluting activities, such as incinerators, sewage treatment plants and radioactive waste discharges from nuclear power stations, need a...

My Lords, the regulations are being made to streamline and simplify our environmental permitting arrangements while—this is important—continuing to safeguard the environment and human health. Noble Lords will know that many potentially polluting activities, such as incinerators, sewage treatment plants and radioactive waste discharges from nuclear power stations, need a...

That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. Relevant Document: 7th Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. Relevant Document: 7th Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

My Lords, I am privileged to live in Cornwall, between St Austell and Truro. When I walk out of the back of my garden, I look across to what are known as the Cornish Alps. They are called that because they are white. They have been even whiter than usual...

My Lords, I am privileged to live in Cornwall, between St Austell and Truro. When I walk out of the back of my garden, I look across to what are known as the Cornish Alps. They are called that because they are white. They have been even whiter than usual...

The reason for our concern is that the implementation of almost all secondary legislation requires a sense of fair play and co-operation between those being regulated and the regulators. Obviously, there is considerable concern that the way in which these regulations are impacting on mineral extraction, which is a major...

The reason for our concern is that the implementation of almost all secondary legislation requires a sense of fair play and co-operation between those being regulated and the regulators. Obviously, there is considerable concern that the way in which these regulations are impacting on mineral extraction, which is a major...

My Lords, indeed I am—as are the Government. We recognise the issues that arise around compliance. I say to the Committee that the industry has its interests, but we also have an obligation to the country that we serve to get these things right. I shall merely mention the disasters...

My Lords, indeed I am—as are the Government. We recognise the issues that arise around compliance. I say to the Committee that the industry has its interests, but we also have an obligation to the country that we serve to get these things right. I shall merely mention the disasters...

My Lords, I, too, thank the Minister for his explanation of the regulations. I have a few questions about mineral extraction. He will be aware that the UK minerals industry and the china clay industry in particular are very concerned about aspects of the regulations. They argue that the regulations...

My Lords, I, too, thank the Minister for his explanation of the regulations. I have a few questions about mineral extraction. He will be aware that the UK minerals industry and the china clay industry in particular are very concerned about aspects of the regulations. They argue that the regulations...

My Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords who contributed to this relatively short debate. The noble Lord, Lord Taylor, said that this was a blockbuster of a document. It is, but, as has been widely appreciated, it brings together and simplifies what has gone before to produce a...

My Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords who contributed to this relatively short debate. The noble Lord, Lord Taylor, said that this was a blockbuster of a document. It is, but, as has been widely appreciated, it brings together and simplifies what has gone before to produce a...

Draft Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question. Grand Committee held in the Moses Room.

Draft Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question. Grand Committee held in the Moses Room.