To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 6 November (WA 101), whether they accept that port estate owners have limited ability to positively influence erratic electricity usage of port tenants in absolute terms for (a) flour mills, (b) cement batching plants, (c) pipe coating companies, and (d) other high electricity users.[HL23]

The Government do not accept this suggestion. The introduction of the CRC energy efficiency scheme on 1 April 2010 will clearly assign responsibility for reporting energy usage to one party and will encourage all landlords to work with their tenants, to influence use of energy on their property and to explore how a tenant’s energy consumption can be reduced. Any energy use emissions from the processes mentioned that are covered by a climate change agreement will be exempt from CRC.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 6 November (WA 101), why they have offered no advice on the reputational liability caused by erratic tenant electricity use which may alter carbon reduction commitment league table positions; and whether they will do so. [HL24]

There are no plans to issue advice on this matter. The carbon reduction commitment energy efficiency scheme will incentivise participants to take up cost-effective energy efficiency measures which are currently not being implemented. Following extensive consultation, the Government have chosen a regulatory mechanism which gives choice to participants rather than setting out a single solution mandated by the Government. It will therefore be for scheme participants, rather than the Government, to identify how to meet the opportunities of the CRC scheme. Where landlords choose to remain responsible for the electricity supplies to tenants, they will also be responsible for the associated emissions under the CRC energy efficiency scheme. They will therefore need to consider, together with their tenants, what steps they can take to improve their performance.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 6 November (WA 101), whether they will delay or amend the carbon reduction commitment energy efficiency scheme until the United Kingdom port operators' comments on the scheme are addressed. [HL25]

The CRC energy efficiency scheme will begin on 1 April 2010, on the basis of the final policy as set out in the government response to the consultation on the draft order to implement the carbon reduction commitment published on 7 October 2009. This was the third consultation on the scheme. The Government have taken all representations received fully into account including those from port operators.