Correction to Written Answer

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Mr. David Kidney)
I would like to inform the House that a written answer I gave on 12 October 2009, Official Report, column 486W to the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Mr. David Evennett), was incorrect. The hon. Member’s question tabled on 2 September 2009 asked what representations were made to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change concerning the power cut at Dartford Creek on 20 July.

In my written answer I said there had been no representations but my right hon. Friend had in fact received letters from the hon. Member for North Thanet (Mr. Gale), dated 28 September 2009, the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford and my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Dr. Stoate), dated 3 August 2009. Regrettably, these letters were not taken into account due to an administrative error within my Department when compiling the answer. I can confirm that my officials are reviewing the handling procedures for dealing with parliamentary correspondence to ensure that this does not happen again.

I apologise to the House and the three hon. Members for this error.