Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, 19 Dec 2007

Meeting date: Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Official Report 80KB pdf

---

Energy

Item 2 is an update on energy issues. The paper from the clerks identifies three matters for consideration this morning. The first is the proposed United Kingdom energy bill, the second relates to a couple of petitions, and the third is the offer of an information seminar for the inquiry that we propose to initiate next March. We will take the items in that order.

Do members have comments or observations on annex A of the paper, which sets out the contents of the UK energy bill?

The bill is relevant to some of the issues that we will consider but, until we know its detailed provisions, it will simply be a case of keeping a watching brief. However, it is helpful that we have been given an advance indication of the bill's contents.

We will keep the committee up to date on developments with the bill, especially next year.

The second matter for consideration is two petitions, PE837 and PE969. We have received a reply from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth to our letter on the petitions. The reply suggests that the petitions will be covered by Government activity. Are colleagues broadly content with that approach?

Members indicated agreement.

We will ensure that the petitioners are duly informed of the process that is under way.

The last matter for consideration is the committee's inquiry into Scotland's energy future. The Royal Society of Edinburgh has kindly offered to provide us with a briefing next March on a number of issues that are detailed in paragraph 3. In case members are worried that we will look at the issues from only one perspective, I make clear that this will be one of a series of briefings that the committee will have. Does the committee wish to avail itself of the seminar and information-gathering exercise that has been offered?

Members indicated agreement.

As members have no further points to make on the inquiry, we move to item 3, which is consideration of a draft report on the budget. We will take the item in private.

Meeting continued in private until 12:27.