§ 10. Paddy Tipping (Sherwood)If he will make a statement on the measures in his pre-Budget report which enhance and protect the environment. [186931]
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury(Mr. Paul Boateng)In keeping with the Government's commitment for taxation to reflect environmental impacts, the Chancellor announced in his pre-Budget report a series of environmentally based measures and consultations designed to protect and enhance our environment.
§ Paddy TippingThe pre-Budget report contains important measures for moving towards a more sustainable energy policy, but will my right hon. Friend tell us when the long-awaited report on combined heat and power will be published so that the agreed targets can be met? Will he look closely at proposals put to him on coal mine methane development? If we could harness that we really would be in a win-win situation.
§ Mr. BoatengWe are considering carefully with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support might be offered on combined heat and power. DEFRA will be publishing a CHP strategy in the coming months. We are committed to CHP, which has an important role to play. We shall certainly also take into account the outcome of the performance and innovation unit's energy review.
On coal mine methane, we await a response from the industry to our request for information on the potential environmental benefits of that form of power. Also important is energy from coppicing, in which Members on both sides of the House have a particular interest, and we believe that the climate change levy exemption and the renewables obligation will provide a significant stimulus to that renewable form of energy.
§ Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham)If the Minister is so pleased with the Government's green record, can he explain why last week the Government's own greening government report, produced the day before the pre-Budget Report, revealed that all Departments had signally failed to reduce greenhouse emissions? The increase in energy was as great as 77 per cent. in
459 the Department of Health, while the Minister's own Department has increased energy consumption during the past year by as much as 23 per cent., as well as failing to reduce hardwood usage and failing on recycling targets. Is it not time that the Government put their own house in order, rather than preaching to others and piling millions of ill-targeted taxes on to businesses?
§ Mr. BoatengThe hon. Gentleman is plain wrong in his view of the impact of those taxes on businesses. He knows—as do Members on both sides of the House—that the climate change levy was devised and crafted with the closest co-operation of business. He also knows of the real benefits that have been gained by business as a result of the climate change levy, but he is absolutely right to point out that Departments should take a lead in this area. We are determined to do better. There is no room for complacency. This is a challenge we all face together.