§ 30. Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the first meeting of the Energy Commission.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Dr. John Cunningham)The Energy Commission met on 28th November. In the course of a very useful meeting we examined in particular our Department's working document on energy policy, and we shall be incorporating many comments made by members of the Commission in the Green Paper which we hope to publish early next year.
§ Mr. RostWill the Under-Secretary confirm that all papers produced by the Energy Commission and its proceedings will be published? Secondly, will he give some indication as to whether he is satisfied with the composition of the Energy Commission, and at what stage he is prepared to review its membership?
§ Dr. CunninghamTo take the second part of the question first, we are hardly likely to review the membership as the Commission has just had its first meeting. Clearly, we shall bear in mind the need for other views to be taken into account. In that connection, the documents for the Commission are widely circulated, and even though people may not be represented with a seat at the Commission they can see and comment on the documents. I think the hon. Gentleman knows that 27 Commission papers have been made available.
§ Mr. PalmerWhilst appreciating that these are early days, may I ask my hon. Friend to bear in mind the opinion which is widely held that the Energy Commission is biased too much towards what I will call the "special interests" and that expert opinion is not strongly enough represented on it?
§ Dr. CunninghamI do not accept that comment. If my hon. Friend could be a little more specific, I might be able to answer his supplementary question. If he has in mind the representation by his own union, he will recognise that that is a matter more for the TUC than for the Department of Energy.