To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has considered the effect of accreditation requirements on levels of participation in the feed-in tariff scheme; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such requirements on the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. (314338)

The certification requirements for the feed-in tariffs scheme are explained in the Government's response to the summer 2009 consultation, published on 1 February and available from the DECC website at:

http://decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/elec_financial/elec_financial.aspx

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has successfully supported delivery of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme since 2006. We believe that the MCS has an important and necessary role to play in feed-in tariffs by providing independent assurance both to customers of microgeneration electricity installations, and to ensure value for money of the scheme. More information on MCS is available on the website:

www.microgenerationcertification.org

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations his Department has received on harmonising the UK's feed-in tariff scheme with those of other EU member states. (315463)

On 1 February the Government published their response to a consultation on feed-in tariffs for small-scale electricity generation, which is available in the Library of the House and from the Department of Energy and Climate Change website at:

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/elec_financial/elec_financial.aspx

The consultation received over 700 replies.

In the course of developing the scheme Ministers and officials consulted a wide range of organisations, nationally and internationally. A number of supporting studies are also available at the same website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assistance his Department plans to prove to those in social housing to participate in the feed-in tariff scheme; and how many social housing tenants he estimates will participate in it. (315464)

On 1 February the Government published their response to a consultation on feed-in tariffs for small-scale electricity generation, available from the Department of Energy and Climate Change website at:

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/elec_financial/elec_financial.aspx

As the response states the Government consider the role of local authorities to be important and are keen for them to develop their leadership role on climate change including action on social housing. Accordingly the Government are piloting the concept of low carbon frameworks, further details may be found at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1449033

Further, building on the experience of pilot projects for Pay as You Save financing and Warm Front, the Government will consult later this year on measures to help low-income households take advantage of clean energy cashback.