To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the (a) Chinese and (b) Indian governments on the reduction of greenhouse emissions; and if he will make a statement. (249826)

I apologise for the delay in replying to this question, which was inadvertently misplaced.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly discusses climate change with key international partners, including China and India. Most recently he has met with Xie Zhenhua, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, on his visit to China 3-6 May.

In addition, the UK and China enjoy a positive dialogue at official level, which takes place through the UK-China Working Group on Climate Change, launched in September 2006. Key areas of focus include: progress towards an ambitious outcome at the climate change talks in Copenhagen; reviewing and developing ongoing climate science collaboration between the UK and China; and adaptation to climate change through phase two of the Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture project. The last meeting of the working group took place in London in August 2008 and the next meeting is scheduled to take place in Beijing later this year.

The UK-India Structured Dialogue on Climate Change took place between senior officials in September last year in Delhi. The Secretary of State is looking forward to expanding on these conversations during international meetings such as the Major Economies Forum and the UNFCCC, as well as the UK-India bilateral summit, scheduled to take place later this year.