Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh, North and Leith) (Lab/Co-op):
My
hon. Friend will be aware that one of the contributions that Scotland can
make to tackling climate change is by tapping our immense reserves of renewable
energy. In that connection, I am glad that the go-ahead has at last been
given to funding for the development of wave power, such as that undertaken
by a company based in my constituency. Given that it took some time for
that fund to get going, through no fault of the Government, will my hon.
Friend ensure that applications to it are dealt with quickly so that we
do not lose the immense advantage that we have in this field and let the
lead that we have in this technology be taken by other countries in Europe?
David Cairns (Parliamentary Under-Secretary,
Scotland Office)
I pay tribute to my
hon. Friend for the progress that he is making with his private Member's
Bill, which will make a considerable contribution to the debate. I understand
that the Committee considering it has a further sitting this afternoon.
He is right to highlight the Government's commitment to marine renewables.
I welcome, as he does, the announcement on 8 February by the Minister for
Energy of a £50 million marine renewable development fund, building
on the £25 million that has already been made available. The company
that my hon. Friend mentions, Ocean Power Delivery, has already benefited
from some £3.2 million of this development money. The deadline for
applications is 8 May, so there is some time left. I look forward to that
money going out to those who are successful in getting a grant so that they
can carry on with research into the important contribution that marine renewables
can make to our energy commitments. |
