§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what appraisal he has made of plans to use tidal lagoons to generate electricity in(a) the Severn estuary and (b) off the north Wales coast; and if he will make a statement. [103530]
§ Peter HainI have made no such appraisal, since such matters rest with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
However, my hon. Friend will know that I am a keen enthusiast for renewable energy. The Severn estuary barrage was one of the issues that the Government examined during its consideration of the Energy White Paper. It is hugely expensive, but there are other opportunities for utilising tidal and wave power. The Welsh coast and the Severn estuary may represent such opportunities.