Official Report 350KB pdf
Item 6 is on a legislative consent memorandum—LCM (S4) 34.1—on the Infrastructure Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation. Joining the minister, we have Joyce Whytock, who is heat policy manager, and Suzanne Le Miere, who is head of heat policy, from the Scottish Government. Welcome to you both. Minister, do you want to introduce this item?
I do not have a formal opening statement, but I can say, having prepared for the committee meeting today, that the amendments to the Infrastructure Bill were added to the UK bill in the House of Lords and were tabled on 29 October. The amendments will basically allow four things in relation to the renewable heat incentive, which I can briefly summarise for the committee. I will then answer questions, probably with the assistance of my officials. The amendments will enable:
the assignment of payments made under the RHI to a third party nominated by the owner of the renewable heat plant;
some elements of existing secondary legislation to be changed using the negative resolution procedure.
other minor technical changes necessary for the administration and delivery of the requirements under the RHI scheme.”
The Scottish Government is satisfied that there is merit in each of those four measures and therefore we believe that the LCM is required and is appropriate.
Thank you. Do members have any questions?
I have a question, although it will not necessarily affect the LCM. It is about the proposed appointment of an alternative administrator of the RHI, along with the introduction of a new appeals mechanism. The appeals mechanism is still to be controlled by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, yet we are likely to have an alternative administrator. In the consideration of this, has the possible conflict that might arise between the new administrator and Ofgem as the appeal forum been looked at?
We do not think that there is a possible conflict. We believe that the new appeals mechanism will operate irrespective of any change that may be made to the administrator and will also allow the flexibility to modify those appeal processes that are currently managed by Ofgem.
As members have no more questions, are members content to recommend that Parliament gives its consent to the relevant provisions of the Infrastructure Bill, as set out in the LCM?
Members indicated agreement.
Are members content to delegate to the convener and clerk the production and publication of a short, factual report detailing the committee’s considerations?
Members indicated agreement.
I thank the minister and his officials for coming along to the meeting.
11:16 Meeting continued in private until 11:18.Previous
Subordinate Legislation