§ 8. Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells) (Con)What discussions he has had with the Department of Trade and Industry about the siting of electricity wind generators. [184475]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Ivor Caplin)The Ministry of Defence maintains an extremely close working relationship with the Department of Trade and Industry on wind energy issues. Both Departments are members of the wind energy, defence and civil aviation interests working group, which also includes representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority, the National Air Traffic Service and the British Wind Energy Association. We also work jointly with the industry on round 2 offshore wind farm developments. Later this week, the Minister for Energy, E-Commerce and Postal Services and I will meet representatives of the wind energy industry.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI do not think that a working group measures up to the scale of the problem. Does the Under-Secretary realise that wind generators are ugly, unnecessary, expensive and a threat to everything that flies? I do not simply mean birds and bats but aircraft, especially military aircraft. They also interfere with military radar. Rather than objecting on a case-by-case basis, will the Department create a presumption against any more of those gimmicky contraptions on the ground of good defence as well as that of saving the environment?
§ Mr. CaplinI assure the right hon. Gentleman that every proposal for wind farm development is considered on a case-by-case basis rather than according to an overall presumption. The Ministry of Defence does not have a policy of automatically refusing proposals and we encourage developers to work with officials from both the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade and Industry to determine whether a mutually acceptable solution can be found. That is a sensible and practical way forward.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)The Under-Secretary knows both that we are delighted to hear that and that the Energy Bill had to be amended to include another clause to ensure that wind farms were not built in shipping lanes. Wind farms at sea pose a genuine problem for radar. Will my hon. Friend assure me that the Ministry and the Department for Transport are consulting closely with the Department of Trade and Industry before making decisions that can be only inimical to defence and transport?
§ Mr. CaplinI give my hon. Friend the commitment that she seeks.
§ Mr. Owen Paterson (North Shropshire) (Con)RAF Shawbury trains pilots from all three services. What threats do the huge new turbines pose to inexperienced junior pilots who are undertaking training?
§ Mr. CaplinWe have a proper, consultative process with the industry, which involves eight different tests, to ensure that such matters are considered before we agree to further negotiations about a wind farm. The Ministry of Defence is clearly committed to supporting the Government's renewable energy target of 10 per cent. renewables generation by 2010. We intend to play our part in that.