§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made to date in establishing a European Union task force on renewable energy; if its membership and initial meeting date have been agreed; and if he will make a statement. [61934]
§ Mr. BattleAt the Energy Council on November 13, the UK stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum created by the Commission's 1997 White Paper ("Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy") and the Council Resolution on renewables adopted under the UK Presidency in May. I suggested that the establishment of a Commission led "task force" of senior experts on renewables could contribute to this.
This suggestion builds on an idea in the White Paper that a working group involving Commission and Member States be established to monitor measures undertaken and evaluate the impact of policy decisions with regard to the use of renewable energy sources. This group has met only once in 1998.
The Commission have not yet responded on the idea of a task force, but I understand they plan to hold a further meeting of their working group early in 1999.
If the idea of a Task Force on renewables is taken forward, it will be for the Commission to decide how this is to be constituted. Most Commission chaired committees have 2 representatives per Member State.