HC Deb 14 November 1988 vol 140 c426W
18. Mr. Knox

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on progress towards the development of a European Community energy policy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Parkinson

[pursuant to the reply 7 November 1988]Baroness Hooper, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Energy, and Sir David Hannay KCMG, permanent representative to the European Communities represented the United Kingdom at the Energy Council on 8 November 1988.

The Council adopted a recommendation on co-operation between public electricity supply companies and auto-producers using new and renewable and certain other sources of electricity. It agreed conclusions on the Commission's review of progress made by Member states against the 1995 Community energy objectives. On the Commission's internal energy market paper the Council agreed broad conclusions on an initial approach and also noted the Commission's programme to the end of 1989 on some priority areas. These three matters had been held over, since the Council had been unable to reach agreement at the last meeting in June because of policy considerations as reported by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State in his answer to the House on 20 June 1988 at column 411. Draft recommendations in the oil market and refinery sector were remitted to officials for further consideration.