Speeches by Chope.

“The reason I ask is that there is a lot of confusion among members of the public, because obviously they know that CO₂ is not, in itself, inherently dirty, and they do not want to lose access to gas. As we heard from one of my colleagues, there is quite a lot of scepticism about nuclear. People look at Germany and see …”

“I have received a letter from somebody called Bill Rees, whom I do not know but he is the managing director of Enso Energy. He says: “The ‘Clean Power 2030’ report does not take account of the benefits of co-located sites, with each technology considered separately. Co-location optimises grid use and thereby reduces co…”

“But was that a wise decision bearing in mind the point that he makes, that the consequence of doing that is that it may well add to the cost of transmission?”

“There are other elements of that as well. There is concern being expressed that a lot of projects will still not get past the starting line and past your regulations. For example, your report says that 90% of solar projects should be allocated to the distribution network. Why 90% and not 100%? Kayte O’Neill: Projects g…”

“Yesterday you made a fresh announcement that revised some earlier proposals. What do you think the impact is of that and why did you make those revisions? Kayte O’Neill: The decisions that we set out yesterday were a positive set of decisions very much grounded in the feedback that we have had from stakeholders through…”

“But instead of allowing the price mechanism, for example, to be used to prioritise applications for connections, you as a regulator are basically imposing your decisions. That is why I use the expression “rationing”. Essentially, you are taking the decisions as to who can get to the top of the queue, and you are doing …”

“Can I ask about connection reform? First, when we define connection reform, it is basically the rationing of access to the distribution network—is that really what it is? Kayte O’Neill: I would describe connections reform in two parts. One is ensuring that we have the right processes in place to be able to bring connec…”

“Shouldn’t we just be making a bigger distribution network so that it covers the country in the same way as the gas grid does?”

“You didn’t see the pictures? It is a complete scene of carnage. Was it 19 acres of wind farm completely destroyed? Anyway, I am sure that the Chinese manufacturers will benefit from being able to renew all that. Can I ask you about how precisely you will determine which projects are strategically aligned? Who will deci…”

“So the man in Whitehall knows best. That is really what we are talking about, isn’t it? Kayte O’Neill: No, what is important is that we connect to the grid the level of infrastructure that is needed to meet clean power and to bring economic benefit and growth to GB. There is a limit to how much generation connection we…”

“Can I ask one more question?”

“On the timescale, I am told that originally you said that you might not be able to indicate which projects were needed until the end of 2025 or early 2026. Is that still the situation or have you been able to advance that timetable? That length of wait is very bad for investors.”

“Like the one that was swept away by Storm Darragh in Anglesey? That was connected to the main distribution network.”

“Does the hon. Gentleman accept that one consequence is that we have a United Kingdom in part of which people have a second-class citizenship compared with the rest of the United Kingdom? Does he have any solutions, other than the solution put forward by the hon. and learned Member for North Antrim (Jim Allister) in his…”

“I have a quick supplementary. Are the Government adamant that one day on Report is sufficient for this end of life Bill? Obviously after that one day on Report, if the proceedings are not concluded, it is most unlikely that there will be a further opportunity within the time allocated for private Members’ Bills to cons…”

“In the ’97 Parliament, we had the Tony Wright Committee, one of whose recommendations was carried forward and is still in place: the Backbench Business Committee. The other recommendation, which was more fundamental—and more troublesome, from the Government’s perspective—was a business of the House Committee so that Ba…”

“Lucy, thank you very much indeed for coming along and being so open and helpful. One of your first wins, as far as I was concerned, was announcing the recess dates for the whole year. I don’t understand why we have not been able to do that in the past.”

“That was going to be my very point. Can you reiterate that Members of Parliament should not have to make freedom-of-information requests, and that the Government should give written parliamentary answers priority over freedom-of-information requests?”

“Order. Before the right hon. Gentleman responds to that intervention—he is being very generous in giving way—can I just say that we have to move on to the Front-Bench speakers at 10.30 am and there are many people who wish to participate? I have not imposed time limits; all I am saying is that there are 13 minutes left…”

“I call Emma Foody.”