Huw Irranca-Davies

Labour Party | Ogmore

Question to Secretary of State for Wales on Energy Policy

22 March 2006

Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): If he will make a statement on the review of energy policy in the UK as it relates to Wales. [59259]

The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Hain): The Wales Office is working with the Assembly Government and the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure that Welsh interests are represented at each stage of the energy review.

Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank my right hon. Friend for that response, but does he agree that Wales is uniquely poised to take advantage of initiatives in environmental and green energy, in terms of both job creation and the contribution that Wales can make to the renewable targets? However, does he share my distaste for the way in which Opposition Members flip-flop on the matter? [Interruption.] In this Chamber, they say that they support green energy but, on the ground, they say something completely different. [Interruption.]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Before the Secretary of State replies, I once again appeal for order. If they are reached, Questions 11 and 12 are just as important as any others.

Mr. Hain: I agree with my hon. Friend. This Government are committed to renewable energy, and we have done more than ever before to drive it forward. He is right to point out the hypocrisy on the Opposition Benches. The Leader of the Opposition says that he is in favour of renewable energy and even takes npower juice. However, he has denounced the wind farm off the north Wales coast that produces that energy and attacked it for being a bird blender. We need some consistency from the right hon. Gentleman, instead of these flip-flops all over the place.