§ Lord Jenkin of Rodingasked Her Majesty's Government:
How long they estimate it will take the European Commission to reach and announce a decision on whether the exemption, announced in the Budget, of coal mine methane from the climate change levy, will be approved; and what steps they will take to ensure that a decision is reached as swiftly as possible. [HL3889]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe proposed exemption for CMM will offer economic and environmental benefits. The Government are therefore confident that the exemption will be approved as a state aid under the Commission's guidelines on aid for environmental protection. We hope that a decision will be made in the next few months. Ministers and officials will liase with the Commission to ensure that the matter is progressed as quickly as possible