Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 February 2011
23 Feb 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Energy Bill
I accept that there is a broad consensus that we need to ensure that energy efficiency continues to be a focus for local authorities. Norman Kerr, who took a balanced view throughout, stated:
“Should it be repealed, it will be important to replace it, perhaps with other duties in local housing strategies that will continue to make fuel poverty and energy efficiency a focus for local authorities.”—[Official Report, Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, 26 January 2011; c 4720.]
The combination of the Scottish housing quality standard and the fuel poverty element of local housing strategies in action so far has probably had a bigger effect than HECA. If they were to be strengthened, they would probably have a bigger future effect than HECA. On that basis and having listened to the evidence, I am not concerned about the repeal of the act.
The other issue concerned the private rented sector. Concerns were raised about the interplay between section 64 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and chapter 3 of the bill. The minister gave us a point-blank assurance that there would be no negative impingement—that question was put to him directly and he answered.
The Government’s legal representatives also gave us a deeper understanding. They stated that, although there is much in chapter 3 that is similar to the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, it contains provisions that give the Scottish Government new powers, albeit subtly, to confer duties on local authorities to serve notices and provisions that deal with tenants. It was stated clearly that the provisions on tenants distinguish chapter 3 of the bill from the 2009 act.
Having had some initial reservations, after examining the Scottish Government’s background paper, I think that the charges have been answered. On that basis, the Conservatives will support the LCM at decision time.
If there is a lesson for the Scottish Government, it is that it would be better to put all the issues into the background paper that goes initially to the relevant committee. The minister answered all the points during his oral evidence, but it would have been better to have had that information in the background paper so that we could have been aware of the issues prior to taking evidence.
17:44
“Should it be repealed, it will be important to replace it, perhaps with other duties in local housing strategies that will continue to make fuel poverty and energy efficiency a focus for local authorities.”—[Official Report, Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, 26 January 2011; c 4720.]
The combination of the Scottish housing quality standard and the fuel poverty element of local housing strategies in action so far has probably had a bigger effect than HECA. If they were to be strengthened, they would probably have a bigger future effect than HECA. On that basis and having listened to the evidence, I am not concerned about the repeal of the act.
The other issue concerned the private rented sector. Concerns were raised about the interplay between section 64 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and chapter 3 of the bill. The minister gave us a point-blank assurance that there would be no negative impingement—that question was put to him directly and he answered.
The Government’s legal representatives also gave us a deeper understanding. They stated that, although there is much in chapter 3 that is similar to the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, it contains provisions that give the Scottish Government new powers, albeit subtly, to confer duties on local authorities to serve notices and provisions that deal with tenants. It was stated clearly that the provisions on tenants distinguish chapter 3 of the bill from the 2009 act.
Having had some initial reservations, after examining the Scottish Government’s background paper, I think that the charges have been answered. On that basis, the Conservatives will support the LCM at decision time.
If there is a lesson for the Scottish Government, it is that it would be better to put all the issues into the background paper that goes initially to the relevant committee. The minister answered all the points during his oral evidence, but it would have been better to have had that information in the background paper so that we could have been aware of the issues prior to taking evidence.
17:44
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-7945, in the name of Alex Neil, on the Energy Bill, which is proposed United Kingdom legislation.17:30
The Minister for Housing and Communities (Alex Neil)
SNP
This is a rather versatile day of business, Presiding Officer.I welcome today’s opportunity to highlight the benefits of the UK Energy Bill, in particular th...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Given the close involvement that the minister is suggesting the Scottish Government should have with the green deal and its implementation, can he set my min...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I must hurry you, Mr Harvie—we have little time.
Patrick Harvie
Green
What opportunity will this Parliament have to ensure that the new arrangements are more suitable for allowing additional action in Scotland than the previous...
Alex Neil
SNP
Mr Harvie should listen to what I have to say, as I am sure that I will be able to reassure him on all points.The stakeholder input and the views of the Econ...
Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Alex Neil
SNP
I am sorry, but I do not have time.We note the UK Government’s proposals to introduce new powers to regulate private landlords, to ensure that private tenant...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You must close now.
Alex Neil
SNP
I will cover the repeal of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in my closing speech.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I am sorry to hurry members, but there is no time available.
Alex Neil
SNP
I move,That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Energy Bill introduced in the House of Lords on 8 December 2010 relating to the creatio...
Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab)
Lab
The policy objectives of increasing energy efficiency and reducing fuel poverty are widely shared. The issues that we consider today are whether the bill tha...
Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con)
Con
I heard the evidence that was provided to the committee. We were also told about a specific provision for tenants, which is distinctive. Will the member comm...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
The provisions include a responsibility on the tenant to request improvements—not on the landlord to offer them. Also, the powers on energy efficiency in the...
Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con)
Con
I intend to focus my remarks on the issues on which the committee took evidence and on which there appeared to be some dispute, at least initially.The first ...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
Does Gavin Brown accept that there is also a broad consensus on the need to replace HECA, rather than simply to repeal it, as is proposed?
Gavin Brown
Con
I accept that there is a broad consensus that we need to ensure that energy efficiency continues to be a focus for local authorities. Norman Kerr, who took a...
Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD)
LD
I am a little puzzled. I certainly appreciate and share the desire to keep fuel poverty at the front of, and central to, political debate in Scotland. Likewi...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
Will the member give way?
Liam McArthur
LD
I will let in Lewis Macdonald in a second.WWF makes sensible suggestions in its briefing regarding the development of EPCs and the energy company obligation,...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
Does Mr McArthur have a view on why the bill has come forward at this stage, when it is apparent from everything that we have heard that many of the provisio...
Liam McArthur
LD
A framework has clearly been set, and the minister has addressed the issue of how Scottish interests will be represented through the continuing stages of the...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You should close, Mr McArthur.
Liam McArthur
LD
On that basis, I will support the motion this afternoon.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I am afraid that contributions must now be limited to three minutes.17:48
Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I have pleasure in supporting the Government’s position this afternoon. Having heard the arguments in the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, I am glad th...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
Will the member give way?
Rob Gibson
SNP
I am sorry—I do not have time.As far as HECA is concerned, the Government believes that we will increase the degree of effort that we make on energy efficien...
Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab)
Lab
I have read the Official Reports of the evidence sessions and the submissions that were made to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, and I agree comple...