Renewable Energy

John Barrett (Edinburgh, West) (LD)
6. If he will make a statement on funding for potential sources of renewable energy in Scotland.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (David Cairns)
The Government and the Scottish Executive continue to support expanding use of renewable energy in Scotland through the renewables obligation and other forms of assistance.

John Barrett
The Minister will be aware of the recent announcement by the Deputy First Minister of £20 million to be spent in Scotland over the next two years on renewable energy. Does he agree that that points to a marked contrast between the Administration in Holyrood, where the Liberal Democrats have an influence, and down here in Westminster, where the Labour Government seem to have abandoned all hope of green electricity?

David Cairns
I am happy to welcome the £20 million of assistance announced by the Scottish Executive, but I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that in the current five-year period this Government are investing £500 million in renewable and other low-carbon technologies. Much of that investment is being spent in Scotland, including at the maritime centre in Orkney, which I am sure is welcomed by the local Member of Parliament. This is far too important an issue to play such party politics with. This Government have put massive amounts of additional resources into promoting renewable energy, which is why we are on target to meet our Kyoto obligations six years early, when many other countries either did not—regrettably—sign up to Kyoto or are miles behind their targets. We have a very proud record on the issue.

Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con)
Does the Minister agree that there are many similarities between Shropshire and Scotland, not least in the scores of farmers who want to help the Government to reach their climate change targets through biomass and biofuels? However, there are no tax incentives, capital grants or other carrots offered to farmers—just stick and punishment. When will the Government get serious about incentivising farmers and people in rural industries, in Scotland and in Shropshire, to help to reach their climate change targets?

David Cairns
The hon. Gentleman raises a serious point—[Interruption.] Yes, he does. That was hardly a vote of confidence from his Front-Bench colleague. The simple question is how we can provide the energy that our country needs without wrecking the planet in the process, and biofuels will play an important part in answering it. I suspect that when we bring forward the results of the energy review next month, they will include a considerable amount on that issue, including what we can do to encourage biodiversity.