§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the impact on Wales of the work of the Advisory Board of the Performance and Innovation Unit's Energy Review in the last three years. [103368]
§ Peter HainThe Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) Energy Review had a Sponsor Minister and Advisory Group. The Wales Office was represented on this group by my ho n. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales.
The PIU (now the Strategy Unit) published its energy review in February 2002. This was a key input into the development of the Government's Energy White Paper, which was published last month. The Wales Office was represented at both Ministerial and official level in the production of this key Government statement on the future of Britain's energy policy.
The Energy White Paper sets out a strategic vision for the development of energy policy across the UK as a whole. It clearly has important implications for Wales, as for other parts of the UK.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made an excellent statement to launch the White Paper on 24 February which was very clear on the implications for the UK as a whole.
That said, it is clearly crucial that key players in Wales engage in the delivery of the White Paper objectives. In particular, the White Paper welcomes the development by the National Assembly for Wales of a strategic approach to energy policy as it applies in Wales.