Energy Supply

18 Jun 2012 : Column 820W

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) if he will publish correspondence between his Department and the European Commission on the application of state aid rules to the Contracts for Difference in the draft Energy Bill; [111348]

(2) when he last discussed state aid rules with the European Commission in relation to Contracts for Difference in the draft Energy Bill. [111380]

Charles Hendry: Subject to parliamentary approval, the Government will ensure that the provisions of the draft Energy Bill are applied in a way that is consistent with the state aid rules.

State aid issues are a bilateral matter between the Government and the European Commission. The Government is in discussion with the Commission as to the application of the state aid rules in this context. In common with other similar situations, such discussions cover whether or not state aid may be present, and if there is state aid, whether it is approvable under the treaty.

If the Government makes a formal notification of its arrangements, we expect the Commission to make a decision as soon as possible consistent with the proper exercise of its responsibilities. Such Commission decisions are published and include an explanation of how the decision has been reached.

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects a decision to be made by the European Commission on state aid rules in relation to the Contracts for Difference in the draft Energy Bill. [111381]

Charles Hendry: The Government will ensure that the provisions of the draft Energy Bill are applied in a way that is consistent with the state aid rules.

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State aid issues are a bilateral matter between the Government and the European Commission. The Government is in discussion with the Commission as to the application of the state aid rules in this context. In common with other similar situations, such discussions cover whether or not state aid may be present, and if there is state aid, whether it is approvable under the treaty.

If the Government makes a formal notification of its arrangements, we expect the Commission to make a decision as soon as possible consistent with the proper exercise of its responsibilities. Such Commission decisions are published and include an explanation of how the decision has been reached.

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to page 14, Annex A, of the Draft Energy Bill, whether he plans to publish the budget envelope for the delivery of EMR under the Levy Control Framework. [111744]