Enterprise and Culture Committee, 29 Nov 2005

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Official Report 279KB pdf

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Energy Policy

We move to item 5. As members might recall, we received a verbal indication from the Environment and Rural Development Committee of the idea that we would have some kind of joint inquiry into energy policy. We have since received and circulated a letter from the committee convener, Sarah Boyack, who goes nowhere near making such a suggestion. Basically, she is seeking information on our work programme. However, we have not firmed up the details of our work programme beyond February; I think that we agreed to consider our work programme in February, to cover work up to the pre-election period.

The convener of the Environment and Rural Development Committee asks specifically whether we plan to carry out any work on energy policy or renewable energy, and the answer at the moment is no. However, that situation could change as a result of our discussion in February. Do members agree to reply to her along those lines? She draws our attention to her committee's inquiry into the future of the Scottish forestry strategy, which I am sure that we are all interested in.

We could emphasise that we appreciate that energy policy has serious implications for enterprise and economy issues. I am concerned that we might be seen as too dismissive of such an important subject. I certainly would not like to convey such an impression.

No, not at all. The fact that the committee devoted a year and a half to its renewable energy inquiry, which took place before I became convener, indicates that it takes the matter seriously.

We should bear it in mind that renewable energy tends to refer to electricity.

Absolutely. I take your point.

Perhaps the issue could be examined initially by a body such as Scotland's futures forum instead of by a parliamentary committee. Obviously, that is a matter for discussion. There is a lot going on: the UK energy policy review was announced today; the Scottish Executive will publish its supply-and-demand analysis by the end of the calendar year; and the Royal Society of Edinburgh is undertaking a very comprehensive inquiry into energy supply. The question of whether an additional parliamentary inquiry would add value is open to discussion, but we will put the matter on the agenda as part of our discussion of the work programme in February. Are members agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

We now move into private session.

Meeting continued in private until 16:25.