§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he made of whether the author of the report, "UK Emission of HFCs, PFCs and SF6 and Potential Emission Reduction Options", had been involved in lobbying on behalf of(a) the refrigeration industry and (b) the manufacturers of refrigerants referred to in the report; and if he will make a statement; [82928]
(2) what action he plans to take as a consequence of the report commissioned by his Department, "UK Emissions of HFCs, PFCs and SF6 and Potential Emission Reduction Options"; [82927]
(3) what representations he has received concerning the independence of his advisers on climate change issues, with particular reference to the global warming impact of different refrigerants. [82926]
§ Mr. MealeWe have received representations concerning the consultants who have prepared for my Department a report which updated annual UK emissions data for HFCs, PFCs and SF6, provided emission projections to 2020 and assessed the costs and benefits of options to reduce future emissions. One of the representations included a detailed list of comments on the report, and a detailed reply, responding in full to each of the points raised, has been made.
6Wvacant posts which also transferred. Figures for RDAs exclude overseas staff.
The consultants were chosen on their technical merits and we see no reason to question the objectivity of the report. The preparation of the report included wide consultation with industry and was overseen by an interdepartmental steering committee.
The Government intend to develop a balanced and equitable strategy across all sectors, to meet the UK's climate change targets. The climate change consultation paper, which we published last October, set out a range of policy options that could be used to meet these targets. We are now developing a draft UK climate change programme for publication later this year. This will be informed by the responses to the consultation paper and other relevant information, including the above report and any representations concerning it.