CONSERVATIVE
New Forest East

BUSINESS QUESTION – OIL REFINERIES - 04 March 2010

BUSINESS QUESTION – OIL REFINERIES - 04 March 2010

Dr Julian Lewis: Before asking my question, I must point out that the Electoral Commission has just stated that Lord Ashcroft's donations were legal and permissible.

May we have a debate on the subject of the strategic importance of oil refineries to the United Kingdom? I have just raised that matter at Business, Innovation and Skills questions without having a substantive answer. The renewable heat incentive could destroy the narrow profit margins of all oil refineries in this country. This is a non-partisan request. We all support the principle of the incentive, but we do not wish to see oil refining in this country destroyed.

[Lord Privy Seal (Harriet Harman): Well, we have just had an Energy Bill, and that looks across a wide range of those issues. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman sought to introduce amendments or to make that point during the Bill's proceedings, but he could look out for the next opportunity to do so in Energy and Climate Change questions.]