§ Mr. StunellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of measures set out in the EU White Paper on Renewables on job creation in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [43667]
§ Mr. BattleThe Commissioner's White Paper recognises that net employment figures in the renewable energy sector are difficult to predict and calculate. It would be very difficult to disaggregate the various estimates for EU as a whole to determine a UK figure. The White Paper envisages a capital investment in renewable energy of around ecu 165 billion by 2010 and estimates that this might create between 500,000 and 900,000 jobs across Europe. Clearly this presents a significant business opportunity for UK companies.