[{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"44059","proposer":"10383","edm":"2951","session":"2010-12","title":"Greenwash Gold 2012","text":"That this House welcomes the launch by Bhopal Medical Appeal, London Mining Network and UK Tar Sands Network of the Greenwash Gold 2012 awards exposing the record of environmental destruction and human rights abuses of the companies BP, Rio Tinto and Dow, which are major sponsors of the 2012 Olympics; and urges the Olympic authorities to bring forward reforms of the process by which Olympic sponsors are selected so that known polluters and human rights abusers are never allowed to tarnish the image of the Olympics again.","date":"2012-04-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"43591","proposer":"24794","edm":"2496","session":"2010-12","title":"Oil And Gas Industry","text":"That this House notes the contribution of the oil and gas industry to the UK economy; further notes that this billion pound industry supported 440,000 jobs across the UK in 2010 with 45 per cent. of these based in Scotland; believes that the UK offshore oil and gas industry is a global centre of excellence in engineering, manufacturing and technology and an established provider of primary energy, employment, investment, exports and tax revenues for the economy; recognises that the industry supports manufacturing in the UK through supply chain contracts and notes with concern the skills shortage facing the sector; welcomes the Make it in Great Britain initiative and its work to identify young apprentices and trainee engineers to act as champions to get youngsters interested in a career in industry; applauds the work of companies, like Edinburgh-based Premier Hytemp, which supports apprentices and works with higher and further education institutions to meet the demand for specialist skills; and urges the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to work with the oil and gas and secondary industries to ensure the future growth of the sector.","date":"2011-11-30","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"43580","proposer":"24892","edm":"2485","session":"2010-12","title":"Fuel Prices On Motorways","text":"That this House believes that fuel prices on motorways are too high; notes that a recent survey by WhatCar? found that fuel prices on motorways are up to 7.4 per cent. higher than the national average; further believes that the disproportionate cost of fuel on motorways is in part a result of the lack of competition between filling stations and a lack of information for drivers about the cost of fuel; further believes that the Government should take action to prevent the continuation of this captive market; and calls on the Government to make information on petrol prices at nearby filling stations available to drivers while they are on the motorway.","date":"2011-11-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"43380","proposer":"24910","edm":"2292","session":"2010-12","title":"Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) (No. 2)","text":"That this House believes a moratorium should be placed on onshore and offshore exploration, development and production of shale gas via the withdrawal of UK Petroleum Exploration and Drilling Licences at sites utilising hydraulic fracturing (fracking) processes, at least until the publication of a detailed environmental impact assessment into the practice; notes that hydraulic fracturing can contaminate local water sources such as aquifers, which provide about 30 per cent. of the UK's drinking water; further believes the production of hard to reach fossil fuels is not compatible with efforts to achieve the UK's statutory carbon budgets; and, therefore, urges the Government instead to give greater support to the generation of energy from renewable sources.","date":"2011-10-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"43237","proposer":"24910","edm":"2159","session":"2010-12","title":"Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)","text":"That this House believes a moratorium should be placed on onshore and offshore exploration, development and production of coal bed methane, shale oil and shale gas by withdrawing UK licences for hydraulic fracturing (fracking), at least until the publication of a detailed environmental impact assessment into the practice; notes that hydraulic fracturing can cause the contamination of local water sources such as aquifers, which provides about 30 per cent. of the UK's water; further notes that amongst a variety of adverse environmental impacts, the process of fracking can cause serious well blowouts, which put both workers and local communities at risk; does not consider that the production of hard to reach fossil fuels is compatible with efforts to achieve the statutory UK carbon budgets; and, therefore, urges the Government instead to give greater support to the generation of energy from renewable sources.","date":"2011-09-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"43114","proposer":"24784","edm":"2043","session":"2010-12","title":"Fuel Smuggling In Northern Ireland","text":"That this House notes that the Northern Ireland Justice Minister estimated in 2011 that there is an annual tax loss of 200 million from fuel fraud and cross-border fuel shopping in Northern Ireland; further notes that some estimates have put the loss even higher, at between 280 million to 300 million a year; believes that this theft pushes up fuel taxes for every resident of the British Isles, which is deeply unfair; welcomes the Government's action with HM Revenue and Customs and the Organised Crime Task Force, together with members of the Democratic Unionist Party to crack down on fuel smuggling and laundering; and therefore calls on the Government to go further, and to look at extending rural fuel pilots to the new economic zones.","date":"2011-07-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42939","proposer":"24784","edm":"1872","session":"2010-12","title":"Petrol Prices In The UK","text":"That this House believes that the current cost of fuel is one of the biggest brakes on economic growth, and is causing hardship for many; notes that this is especially true in towns like Harlow, where the high price of fuel is damaging the prospects of small businesses; welcomes the one pence cut in fuel duty in the 2011 Budget, and the avoidance of the large tax increase planned by the previousadministration; further notes, however, that when the oil price goes up, the pump price of petrol rises almost instantly, but when the oil price falls, there tends to be a lag in prices falling; and therefore calls for much greater transparency from big energy companies, including open book accounting and data published regularly online, so that the public can see where the cheapest petrol can be found, and which companies are passing on lower oil costs to their customers.","date":"2011-06-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42722","proposer":"10128","edm":"1667","session":"2010-12","title":"Oil Refining In The UK","text":"That this House recognises the importance for employment and the national economy of the UK's oil refineries; is concerned about the impact of any further reduction in the number of oil refineries in the UK; notes that of the eight remaining refineries, two are up for sale; further recognises that the industry supports 150,000 jobs across the country and operates to the highest environmental standards in the world; and calls on the Government to take steps to ensure continued investment in UK oil refining to maintain security of supply of all fuels produced.","date":"2011-03-29","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42715","proposer":"10074","edm":"1661","session":"2010-12","title":"Effects Of March 2011 Budget On North Sea Oil And Gas Jobs And Investment","text":"That this House is deeply concerned at the surprise announcement in the Budget of an increase in supplemental taxation on oil and gas profits from 20 to 32 per cent. raising marginal taxation to 81 per cent. in some cases which has damaged investor confidence in the UK offshore industry and could lead to a loss of investment, jobs and damage to the UK balance of payments;recognises that the UK Continental Shelf is a mature province with ageing infrastructure and developments increasingly being led by small and medium-sized operators and investors competing for funds in a global market place where investors can see lower costs and more stable tax regimes than exist in the UK; calls on the Government to reconsider its decision in the light of this evidence and the fact that gas prices are considerably below the Government's stated threshold price of $75 per barrel; and concludes that a Budget that undermines Britain's most successful industry and which accounts for a third of industrial investment cannot reasonably be described as a budget for growth.","date":"2011-03-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42689","proposer":"10096","edm":"1638","session":"2010-12","title":"Green Deal And Passive Flue Gas Technology","text":"That this House welcomes the support of the Minister for Climate Change, the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle, for passive flue gas heat recovery devices, an innovative British technology that utilises the waste heat from boilers to provide hot water; notes that the proposed legislation setting up the Green Deal scheme enables this technology to be part of Green Deal; and hopes that when the details of the scheme are published they will include this technology, not only because it can assist with reducing emissions, but also because it can help in alleviating fuel poverty.","date":"2011-03-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42576","proposer":"11973","edm":"1534","session":"2010-12","title":"Proposal For A Fuel Duty Regulator","text":"That this House notes the vote in the Scottish Parliament which saw a majority vote for the UK Government to cancel the rise in fuel duty planned for April 2011 and implement a fuel duty regulator; believes that the UK Government must now listen to the views of people across Scotland who can no longer afford extortionate fuel prices; further notes that petrol and diesel prices in Scotland are among the highest in Europe and have reached record levels and that the planned rise in fuel duty by the UK Government in April 2011 could increase prices by a further 4p per litre; recognises that such increases impose an additional burden on households and businesses at a time of rising living costs and could undermine the economic recovery; further notes the UK Government's proposal to introduce a 5p-per-litre fuel discount scheme for island communities; and calls on the UK Government to cancel the rise in fuel duty planned for April 2011 and implement a fuel duty regulator that would ensure that some of the additional revenue that the UK Governmentwill receive from increased revenues due to recent increases in oil prices is used to reduce fuel duty to help support Scottish households and businesses.","date":"2011-03-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42396","proposer":"10383","edm":"1370","session":"2010-12","title":"Use Of Cs Gas On UK Uncut Protestors","text":"That this House expresses its deep concern at the use by the Metropolitan Police of CS gas spray on UK uncut campaigners protesting at tax avoidance by Boots store; considers that this is a disproportionate use of force on peaceful campaigners; and calls on the Home Secretary to establish an independent public inquiry into this incident with a view to reviewing the guidelines for the use of CS spray by the police.","date":"2011-01-31","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42346","proposer":"11923","edm":"1327","session":"2010-12","title":"Non-Mains Gas And Oil","text":"That this House recognises that many people living in rural areas like Cumbria rely on non-mains gas and oil for their household energy needs; notes with concern that these sources are not currently monitored by the energy regulator Ofgem and therefore charges are often higher, with service standards beyond the reach of regulation; and calls on the Government to bring these sources of home energy under the regulation of Ofgem to prevent unfair rises in the cost of energy for people living in rural areas.","date":"2011-01-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42278","proposer":"24917","edm":"1263","session":"2010-12","title":"Heating Oil","text":"That this House notes that a large number of people living in rural and off-gas communities rely on oil to heat their homes and is deeply concerned about those who were left without heating oil deliveries over Christmas during one of the coldest winters on record; further notes with concern that the price of home heating fuel has increased, in some cases by over 100 per cent. in the last two months, whilst the price of crude oil has increased by 10 per cent. over the same period, and condemns such actions by fuel companies, who are taking advantage of vulnerable people in the extreme weather conditions to make excessive profits; and calls on the Government to meet the oil companies and take tough, urgent and decisive action on this matter.","date":"2011-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42249","proposer":"24966","edm":"1236","session":"2010-12","title":"Broadfield Park Homes Disconnection Of Gas Supplies To Residents","text":"That this House notes with concern that a number of the Park Home residents at Broadfield Park in Morecambe have been disconnected from their gas supply, depriving them of heating during the coldest December on record; deplores the callous actions of the park owners; urges the Government to take immediate action against sharp operators in this industry; and demands that the residents be reconnected immediately.","date":"2011-01-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42223","proposer":"24966","edm":"1210","session":"2010-12","title":"Fuel Price Increases","text":"That this House notes with concern the recent increases in fuel prices; further notes that this increase has made it hard for haulage companies across the country; demands that oil producers end the OPEC cartel that pushes up prices and restricts the free market; further demands that the Government looks urgently at fuel tax cuts to help all drivers and essential user rebates specifically to help businesses such as hauliers; and believes that fuel price reductions will help the economy and give much needed respite to the hard-pressed haulage industry.","date":"2010-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42189","proposer":"11093","edm":"1177","session":"2010-12","title":"Price Of Heating Oil","text":"That this House notes that many people rely on oil to heat their homes; further notes that the average price for heating oil tends to be less than 50 pence per litre; is concerned that the average price of heating oil has shot up to 70 pence per litre and that some people are being forced to paytwo poundsper litre; and calls on the Government and suppliers to take steps to reduce the cost of heating oil and ensure everyone can affordto keep their home warm.","date":"2010-12-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42135","proposer":"24742","edm":"1129","session":"2010-12","title":"Safety In The UK Offshore Oil And Gas Industry","text":"That this House applauds the work undertaken by offshore oil and gas workers in securing energy for UK homes and industry; believes there should be the best possible safety regime for those working in this dangerous and profitable sector; is deeply concerned that in the last reporting year there has been a 39 per cent. increase in major and significant hydrocarbon releases and a 67 per cent. increase in major injuries; is further concerned that the provisional data from the first ever Health and Safety Executive inspection of its kind has found almost 80 per cent. offshore installations inspected need to improve compliance with the Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989; is alarmed that the industry's official Workforce Involvement Group has found that less than 30 per cent. of workers feel that they have had involvement in the safety case for offshore installations; notes that in response to the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico, EU Commissioners are calling for adoption of best practice of safety standards in Europe; and therefore calls on the Government to consider adopting Norwegian standards which provide far stronger standards for safety representatives, including greater worker involvement, training and enforcement powers.","date":"2010-12-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42040","proposer":"10256","edm":"1050","session":"2010-12","title":"British Gas Winter Price Increase","text":"That this House notes with concern the announcement made by British Gas of a seven per cent. gas and electricity price increase from 10 December 2010; further notes that this sizeable increase is unwelcome in the current difficult economic climate and will cause unnecessary hardship for thousands of British Gas customers at the start of winter; and calls on the Government to ask the Regulator to look into the way in which British Gas configures its pricing structure.","date":"2010-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"42048","proposer":"10685","edm":"1058","session":"2010-12","title":"Disclosure Of Payments To Governments By Oil, Gas And Mining Companies (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes that corruption in the oil, gas and mining industries has caused great human misery in Africa and other developing regions; considers that corruption would be curbed by full disclosure of revenue payments to governments by oil, gas and mining companies; further notes that the United States Congress has passed a law to require all such companies regulated in the US to fully disclose such payments; and urges the Government to consider similar legislation.","date":"2010-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"41599","proposer":"10074","edm":"642","session":"2010-12","title":"Disclosure Of Payments To Governments By Oil, Gas And Mining Companies","text":"That this House notes that corruption in the oil, gas and mining industries has caused great human misery in Africa and other developing regions; considers that corruption would be curbed by full disclosure of revenue payments to governments by oil, gas and mining companies; further notes that the United States Congress is considering a law to require all such companies regulated in the US to fully disclose such payments; and urges the Government to consider similar legislation.","date":"2010-07-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"41464","proposer":"10534","edm":"511","session":"2010-12","title":"Carbon Monoxide Poisoning And Gas Safety","text":"That this House welcomes the re-launch of the All Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group; notes that carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for around 30 deaths every year and injures many more; further notes that these fatalities andinjuries can be prevented by an annual inspection of gas appliances by a gas safety-registered engineer and the use of an audible carbon monoxide alarm; acknowledges recent reports that 81 per cent. of homes do not have audible carbon monoxide alarms fitted; expresses its concern at the Gas Safety Register survey which found that a third of rented properties do not have a current gas safety certificate; is alarmed that an estimated 250,000 gas appliances in Britain are installed or serviced by illegal fitters each year; congratulates the Gas Safety Register on its work since April 2009; and calls on the Government to renew its efforts to warn the public of the dangers of carbon monoxide leakage.","date":"2010-07-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"41132","proposer":"24911","edm":"209","session":"2010-12","title":"Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill And UK Pensions Funds","text":"That this House notes that the Deepwater Horizon disaster is now considered the largest offshore oil spill in US history, and will have devastating environmental and social consequences for years to come; notes that almost all British pension funds have significant investments in BP, and that uncertainty over BP's share price and quarterly dividend will hit ordinary pension savers; believes that this incident clearly demonstrates that environmental risks are also financial risks; further believes that pension funds should do more to integrate environmental risk assessment into their investment practices; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure that pension funds report fully on their policy and practice regarding environmental, social and governance risks.","date":"2010-06-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"41134","proposer":"10009","edm":"211","session":"2010-12","title":"Comments Of The Us President On Bp","text":"That this House views with concern the attacks on BP by the US President; and believes that such attacks are unwarranted and are having a disproportionate effect on the company's reputation.","date":"2010-06-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"41122","proposer":"11309","edm":"199","session":"2010-12","title":"Us Administration And Bp","text":"That this House notes with concern reports that the US administration is seeking to stop dividend payments to shareholders of BP amid anger over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill; further notes the huge exposure of UK pension funds to BP; believes that the company must honour its commitment to the people affected by the disaster; and further believes that the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs should intervene to raise their concerns with the UK's US allies.","date":"2010-06-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"41061","proposer":"24910","edm":"142","session":"2010-12","title":"Bp And Criminal Investigation Into The Deepwater Horizon Disaster","text":"That this House notes that following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig off the Louisiana coast, which killed eleven rig workers, an estimated 504,000 to 798,000 gallons of oil are leaking into the Gulf of Mexico every day and to date at least 20 million gallons have spilled into the Gulf, affecting more than 70 miles of Louisiana's coastline; further notes that White House energy advisers have described this as the worst environmental disaster the United States has faced; welcomes the announcement that BP will be subject to a criminal investigation; and believes that BP must take full financial responsibility for both the short and long-term effects of the disaster.","date":"2010-06-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"40542","proposer":"10022","edm":"930","session":"2009-10","title":"Fuel Tourism","text":"That this House notes the high frequency of hauliers transporting large amounts of fuel into the UK via ferries and the Channel Tunnel to avoid UK fuel duty charges; further notes with concern that this practice may compromise safety on these routes by increasing the risk of fire; and therefore calls on the Government to impose a limit on the amount of fuel individual hauliers may transport into the UK of 100 litres per vehicle.","date":"2010-02-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"40521","proposer":"10451","edm":"912","session":"2009-10","title":"Disclosure Of Payments To Governments By Oil, Gas And Mining Companies","text":"That this House notes that corruption in the oil, gas and mining industries has caused great human misery in Africa and other developing regions; considers that corruption would be curbed by full disclosure of revenue payments to governments by oil, gas and mining companies; further notes that the United States Congress is considering a law to require all such companies regulated in the US to fully disclose such payments; and urges the Government to consider similar legislation.","date":"2010-02-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"40142","proposer":"11420","edm":"563","session":"2009-10","title":"Gas Balancing Alerts","text":"That this House notes the fourth gas balancing alert of 2010 was made on 11 January 2010; further notes that it was subsequent to a drop in imports of gas from Norway; expresses concern that there appears to be a continuing problem with maintaining imports; further notes that Medium Range Storage at 6 am on 11 January 2010 was only at a level of 53 per cent.; further notes that Short Range Storage may need to be removed from the capacity limit of the system, being close to two days remaining; and calls for the Government to give this matter some detailed attention, potentially including discussions with the Norwegian government, to identify what may be done to maintain the UK's gas security.","date":"2010-01-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"40122","proposer":"11420","edm":"544","session":"2009-10","title":"Gas Storage","text":"That this House notes that on 3 January 2010 89 million cubic metres of gas were withdrawn from storage notwithstanding the fact that demand was below 400 million cubic metres; expresses concern that stored gas is being used in preference to other gas sources; and calls on the Government urgently to review this matter to ensure that sufficient stored gas is available to maintain supply during the winter.","date":"2010-01-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"40096","proposer":"11798","edm":"523","session":"2009-10","title":"Biofuel From Used Cooking Oil And Renewables Obligation Scheme","text":"That this House recognises that biofuels produced from used cooking oil are widely recognised as one of the most sustainable biofuels available; notes that a recent ruling by Ofgem prevents bio-diesels produced this way from being included in the Renewables Obligation Scheme due to a small proportion of fossil fuel-derived methanol; acknowledges that the ruling means that one of the most sustainable biofuels is now excluded from the main Government scheme incentivising renewable electricity generation; further notes that the ruling runs counter to recommendations made in the Gallagher Review which recommended incentives to spur the development of advanced technologies including the use of wastes to produce biofuels; recognises that this is likely to have a negative impact on the UK's renewable energy industry; and therefore calls on the Government to consider recognising the renewable element of this fuel within the Renewables Obligations Scheme, and to review the policy decision surrounding the ruling and better support the incentivisation of the production of sustainable biofuels through the Renewables Obligation Scheme.","date":"2009-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"40049","proposer":"10356","edm":"477","session":"2009-10","title":"UK Industry And Recovered Fuel Oil","text":"That this House is concerned that the use of Recovered Fuel Oil (RFO) in the lime manufacturing industry is taxed 10 times higher in the UK than minimum EU levels, making it three times the price of natural gas; understands that RFO is manufactured from recycled waste oils that have undergone a process to turn them into a safe and sustainable fuel product; notes that when RFO is burnt in Waste Incineration Directive (WID) compliant plants, which are stringently controlled, it is safer for the environment and public health; further notes that the EU Energy Products Directive explicitly states that the UK is under no obligations to tax RFO use within mineralogical processes, yet does so; further notes that an exemption has been introduced for the steel industry and a tax rebate for the electricity industry which are not required to use WID compliant facilities; acknowledges that the lime manufacturing sector can play a considerable part in minimising the UK's fossil fuel dependency and encouraging low carbon growth, yet currently has no incentive to do so; considers this situation to demonstrate a distinct lack of joined up government thinking between financial and environmental policy, which is damaging the industry's competitiveness; further notes that the Government is missing an opportunity to dispose of this waste in an environmentally sound way; and therefore calls on government to reduce the tax on RFO used in WID-compliant facilities to address the lack of commercial incentive for companies to invest in greener technologies and use recycled energy in their manufacturing processes.","date":"2009-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"39865","proposer":"10346","edm":"305","session":"2009-10","title":"Equalisation Of Tariffs For Gas And Electricity Bills","text":"That this House believes that it is unacceptable that individuals and families using prepay meters pay more for their gas and electricity than anyone else and that is is morally wrong to charge the country's poorest citizens the most exorbitant rates; believes that gas and electricity companies should take immediate action to bring prepay meter prices into line with the national average; and calls on Ofgem to reconsider its implementation of regulatory guidelines on companies' charging practices.","date":"2009-12-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"39697","proposer":"11427","edm":"158","session":"2009-10","title":"UK Industry And Renewable Energy","text":"That this House is concerned that despite recycled fuels manufactured from used cooking oil being more environmentally friendly, they are subject to much heavier and costly regulation than the combustion of the most polluting fossil fuels under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007; appreciates that technological advances in the renewable energy industry have allowed waste to be recycled into fuel, known as end of waste fuels; accepts that an end of waste fuel that has passed the stringent Carnwath test should be treated as a virgin fuel and that this concept is recognised in both UK and EU law; notes that used cooking oil produces carbon-neutral electricity and contributes to reducing UK dependency on fossil fuels; further notes the UK commitment to ensure renewable energy makes up 15 per cent. of all energy by 2020; recognises that analysis for the Renewable Energy Strategy indicates that nearly a quarter of the changes to reach the UK renewable energy target could come from bioenergy in the heat and electricity sectors; acknowledges with concern that current environmental legislation does not recognise the end of waste criteria; understands that this disincentivises investment in renewable technology and risks putting the UK at a disadvantage in relation to its European counterparts; therefore calls on the Government to update the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 to recognise the end of waste concept and provide a clear timetable for doing so.","date":"2009-11-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"39192","proposer":"10646","edm":"1965","session":"2008-09","title":"UK Sustainable Bio-Diesel Industry","text":"That this House recognises that bio-diesel manufactured from used cooking oil is one of the most sustainable renewable fuels available in the UK; commends companies such as McDonald's, 3663, Morrisons and many others for using high-ratio bio-diesel blends for their captive fleets and forecourt pumps; notes the Government's decision to abolish the current 20 pence per litre duty differential for bio-diesel in 2010, which will make bio-diesel significantly more expensive than road fossil fuels and therefore commercially unviable; believes that this is likely to destroy the domestic sustainable bio-diesel industry; agrees with the UK Sustainable Bio-diesel Alliance that this decision runs counter to the Government's commitment on the role bio-fuels can play in meeting domestic greenhouse gas and renewable energy targets and the recommendations made in the 2008 Gallagher Review; understands that whilst incentives for bio-diesel for road use provided through the Renewable Transport Obligation are welcome, they do not on their own provide sufficient support for the industry; and therefore urges the Government to clearly demonstrate its commitment to the sustainable bio-diesel sector by reviewing its current policies and coming forward with clear recommendations which will make the UK bio-diesel industry the most competitive in the world.","date":"2009-07-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"38911","proposer":"10383","edm":"1718","session":"2008-09","title":"Lindsey Oil Refinery Industrial Action","text":"That this House expresses its support for the workers from the Lindsey Oil Refinery site currently taking industrial action to protect their jobs, wages and conditions and for all those workers at sites around the country who are taking action in support; and calls upon Total oil company to enter into talks at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service with the unions GMB and UNITE to resolve this dispute.","date":"2009-06-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"38456","proposer":"10716","edm":"1309","session":"2008-09","title":"Energy Prices (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes that natural gas wholesale prices have declined by 54 per cent. in the last year while the average British household has seen their gas bill decline by only around three per cent.; is aware that approximately 54 per cent. of the cost of supplying gas to consumers is made up by natural gas wholesale prices; recognises that if household gas bills had reduced at the same rate as wholesale prices, the average UK household would save over \u00c2\u00a3200 per year; and calls on the Government to ensure that the prices charged by energy companies better reflect reductions in wholesale energy prices.","date":"2009-04-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"38374","proposer":"10790","edm":"1250","session":"2008-09","title":"Reporting On Carbon Liabilities","text":"That this House acknowledges the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change; looks forward to a successful global deal on climate change at Copenhagen later this year; notes that in a future carbon-constrained world businesses will need to account for the carbon intensity of their operations and products, particularly in the oil, gas and power sectors; believes that transparent reporting of the lifecycle carbon impacts of these operations and products as financial liabilities is the best way to enable investors and pension funds to factor in carbon risks to investment analysis and support emissions reductions and low-carbon growth; further notes the massive hidden carbon costs of the exploitation of unconventional fossil fuels such as oil sands, which emit on average three times more carbon dioxide in their extraction and production than conventional oil and represent a significant carbon risk for investors; also notes that new coal-fired power stations have lifespans of over 40 years; and therefore calls on the Government to require all UK-listed companies in the oil, gas and power sectors to report on their total carbon liabilities.","date":"2009-04-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"37684","proposer":"10427","edm":"634","session":"2008-09","title":"Energy Company Profits And Fuel Prices","text":"That this House notes that in the last year Shell made \u00c2\u00a322 billion profits, the largest annual corporate profit in British history; further notes that Shell and BP are expected to make a windfall gain of \u00c2\u00a39 billion from being allocated free pollution permits under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme; further notes that the big cuts in world energy prices over the last six months have been only partially passed on to the consumer in that the price of unleaded petrol has fallen only 25 per cent. over the same period that the price of a barrel of oil has fallen 67 per cent.; is deeply concerned that nearly five million households most of them pensioners remain in fuel poverty at a time of intensely cold weather; and calls on the Government to claw-back these windfall gains from the energy companies and redistribute the proceeds towards pensioners and other low-income households, especially through standardised social tariffs ensuring significantly lower energy prices for all households in fuel poverty.","date":"2009-01-29","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"37237","proposer":"10295","edm":"239","session":"2008-09","title":"Clarity Of British Gas Tariffs","text":"That this House questions the motives of the new British Gas Tariff Fixed Price 2012 that guarantees no energy increases until January 2012; notes with concern the failure of its website to make it clear that the tariff does not allow the customer to benefit from any decrease in energy prices; notes that the advertised terms and conditions make no mention of the options in the case of a decrease; questions the fee of \u00c2\u00a360 payable if the customer wishes to opt out of the tariff; is concerned that the lack of clarity about the tariff could result in the most vulnerable customers paying more for their energy than is necessary; and calls on British Gas to consider its moral responsibility as a market leader to avoid misleading customers when advertising their products.","date":"2008-12-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"37152","proposer":"10295","edm":"160","session":"2008-09","title":"Energy Prices","text":"That this House notes that the price of oil has now fallen by almost three-quarters since it hit a record high of $147 a barrel in July 2008; recognises that the price of oil is the main driver of wholesale gas prices and a major factor in the price of electricity, yet despite the huge fall in oil prices energy firms have failed to pass on the price drop to their customers, with an average household energy bill now standing at \u00c2\u00a31,303, up 43 per cent. from the beginning of 2008; demands that energy companies reduce prices now to help people afford their energy bills during the winter; and urges the Government to take direct action if energy companies fail to reduce prices.","date":"2008-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"37011","proposer":"11420","edm":"19","session":"2008-09","title":"Industry Taskforce On Peak Oil And Energy Security","text":"That this House welcomes the report from leading British companies, including Virgin, Stagecoach, Scottish and Southern Energy and Solarcentury, which are part of the Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security, highlighting concerns that cheap sources of easy to obtain fossil fuels are moving towards their greatest availability and will then decline in availability; notes that this is confirmed by the International Energy Agency; and calls for the Government to find a sense of urgency in acting to reduce energy usage, to reduce the price of energy and to reduce energy bills of consumers.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36775","proposer":"11093","edm":"2386","session":"2007-08","title":"Lpg Heating","text":"That this House notes that liquid petroleum gas (LPG) is the most expensive way to heat a standard home; further notes the 60 per cent. increase in the price of LPG since 2004; is concerned about the effects this will have on vulnerable residents this winter; further notes the Competition Commission's conclusion that difficulties in switching supplier have inhibited competition; and urges the Government and industry to help users of LPG heating to cope this winter.","date":"2008-10-30","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36778","proposer":"11420","edm":"2389","session":"2007-08","title":"Industry Taskforce On Peak Oil And Energy Security","text":"That this House welcomes the report from leading British companies, including Virgin, Stagecoach, Scottish and Southern Energy and Solarcentury, which are part of the Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security, highlighting concerns that cheap sources of easy to obtain fossil fuels are moving towards their greatest availability and will then decline in availability; notes that this is confirmed by the International Energy Agency; and calls for the Government to find a sense of urgency in acting to reduce energy usage, to reduce the price of energy and to reduce energy bills of consumers.","date":"2008-10-30","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36699","proposer":"11816","edm":"2320","session":"2007-08","title":"Petrol Prices (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes with concern the failure of some supermarkets and petrol companies to follow the lead of Asda and Morrisons and reduce their petrol prices to under \u00c2\u00a31.00 a litre; further notes that not all supermarkets and petrol companies have a national uniform low price in all towns and cities; and calls on those companies such as Tesco, Sainsbury's and BP to cut their prices immediately to help families cope with the rising cost of living.","date":"2008-10-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36564","proposer":"10790","edm":"2215","session":"2007-08","title":"Hydrocarbon Oil Duty","text":"That this House acknowledges the contribution that the waste oil recycling industry makes to the recovery of hazardous waste oil from the waste stream; welcomes the investment and innovation undertaken to convert hazardous waste oil into reusable product; further welcomes the fact that this product helps cut emissions, diverts waste oil from landfill, and conserves natural resources; notes with concern the effect that the proposed application of hydrocarbon oil duty at a rate of 9.29 pence per litre (equivalent to \u00c2\u00a3105 per 1,000 kilograms) on this product from 1st November 2008 will have on the collection and reprocessing of waste fuel oil; and calls on the Government to review its decision not to apply the minimum rate of duty of 15 euros per 1,000 kilograms (broadly equivalent to \u00c2\u00a311.50 per 1,000 kilograms) on the use of waste fuel oil permitted by the Energy Products Directive.","date":"2008-10-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36556","proposer":"10295","edm":"2207","session":"2007-08","title":"Vehicle Excise Duty (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes the new rates of vehicle excise duty announced by Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer in his 2008 Budget Statement; recognises that the new rates are designed to reflect the level of carbon dioxide emitted from each vehicle; further notes that the new charges are to be retrospective on vehicles registered since 1st March 2001; recognises that in the current economic downturn many individuals and families are struggling to pay rising energy bills and other household expenses; and calls on Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer to review the retrospective element of vehicle excise duty and only to apply the new system of charging to vehicles purchased since 1st March 2009,therefore providing some relief for hard-working families while allowing people to make an informed choice about the vehicle they purchase in the future.","date":"2008-10-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36536","proposer":"10436","edm":"2185","session":"2007-08","title":"Fuel Charges For Pre-Payment Meters","text":"That this House, in view of the gross overcharging by energy companies of those poor and vulnerable consumers who pay by pre-payment meters, and the feeble response of Ofgem in asking the utility companies to reduce these charges by Christmas under threat of yet another inquiry if they do not, urges the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to recognise that fuel charges have risen to record levels and that winter is coming by compelling energy suppliers to reduce their pre-payment charges to the same rates as those charged to consumers who pay by cheque or cash, in order urgently to end this gross exploitation of the poor and vulnerable.","date":"2008-10-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36428","proposer":"11032","edm":"2081","session":"2007-08","title":"Fuel Allowance For Nhs Volunteer Drivers","text":"That this House recognises the vitally important work that many thousands of volunteer drivers undertake in taking patients to and from hospitals, GP surgeries and day centres; notes that the increasing cost of fuel is putting many of these services at risk as the fuel allowance for volunteer drivers remains at 40 pence per mile whilst the cost of fuel has escalated; further notes that nurses and staff in the NHS have recently been given an increase in their fuel allowance; is concerned about the impact on local health services if volunteer drivers can no longer afford to help their communities; believes that primary care trusts and other trusts should compensate volunteer drivers for their increased fuel costs and bring increases in line with those granted to NHS staff; and calls on the Government to allow all increases for NHS staff and volunteers to be tax free to reflect the rising cost of fuel.","date":"2008-07-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36393","proposer":"11245","edm":"2051","session":"2007-08","title":"Postponement Of Increase In Fuel Duty","text":"That this House notes the reasoned arguments made by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) that the two pence tax increase on a litre of fuel should not be implemented; congratulates the Government on its acceptance of the case and its decision to postpone the increase; and further notes that UKIP has repeated its call for the duty to be scrapped altogether.","date":"2008-07-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36410","proposer":"10552","edm":"2069","session":"2007-08","title":"Future UK Oil And Gas Production","text":"That this House welcomes Oil and Gas UK's 2008 economic report; recognises the value of the oil and gas industry to the UK economy, given that it employs 450,000 people and benefits the UK balance of payments to the tune of \u00c2\u00a345 billion a year; further notes the untapped potential of the industry to contribute to the nation's future security of energy supply, with 25 billion barrels or more of oil and gas equivalent recoverable from the UK continental shelf, including the West of Shetland reserves; recognises that substantial investment and exploration activity will be required over and above current plans to extract these reserves; and therefore calls on the Government to build on its constructive engagement with the industry to ensure the necessary investment is made to unlock this country's full potential to produce its own oil and gas.","date":"2008-07-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36412","proposer":"10295","edm":"2071","session":"2007-08","title":"Tesco Five Pence Off Petrol Scheme","text":"That this House calls on Tesco to reverse its decision to exclude infant formula and baby food from the five pence per litre fuel promotion whereby customers who spend \u00c2\u00a350 receive a fuel voucher; notes that customers purchasing \u00c2\u00a350 of alcohol will be granted a voucher but families who spend money on baby food out of necessity cannot use that money spent towards a voucher; considers that the offer encourages greater spending on alcohol, which flies in the face of supporting families with young children; and further notes the contradiction that Tesco believes that Every Little Helps except when it comes to helping little ones.","date":"2008-07-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36368","proposer":"10541","edm":"2027","session":"2007-08","title":"Fuel Poverty Targets","text":"That this House notes with concern that Government estimates indicate that it is no longer on course to meet its statutory obligation to lift all vulnerable households out of fuel poverty by 2010; regrets the Government's response to Friends of the Earth on 14th March 2008 suggesting that the fuel poverty targets were an option rather than an obligation; recognises that the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act sets out statutory duties for the complete eradication of fuel poverty by 2016; and calls upon the Government to set up an inter-ministerial task force to deliver its statutory duties.","date":"2008-07-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36333","proposer":"10295","edm":"2000","session":"2007-08","title":"Tackling Fuel Poverty","text":"That this House is deeply concerned about the effect a 40 per cent. increase in domestic fuel prices will have on pensioners, the poor and the vulnerable this winter; urges energy companies to accept the Department for Work and Pensions \u00c2\u00a340 money-back voucher scheme for the elderly on pension credits; demands that fuel companies charge no more for pre-payment meters than the extra cost of operating them; congratulates The People newspaper on its hard-hitting fuel poverty campaign; calls on the Government to use its influence abroad to end the link between gas and oil prices and its influence at home to encourage more market competition; and supports a windfall tax on the profits of the Big Six power giants unless they do more to help the fuel poor.","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36347","proposer":"11026","edm":"1983A3","session":"2007-08","title":"Mayor Of London, Climate Change And The Proposed \u00c2\u00a325 Congestion Charge","text":"Leave out `is concerned","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36348","proposer":"11026","edm":"1983A4","session":"2007-08","title":"Mayor Of London, Climate Change And The Proposed \u00c2\u00a325 Congestion Charge","text":"Leave out `charge'","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36360","proposer":"11026","edm":"1983A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Mayor Of London, Climate Change And The Proposed \u00c2\u00a325 Congestion Charge","text":"leave out `is concerned at the news' and insert `notes that'.","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36361","proposer":"11026","edm":"1983A2","session":"2007-08","title":"Mayor Of London, Climate Change And The Proposed \u00c2\u00a325 Congestion Charge","text":"leave out from `charge' to end and add `congratulates him on so speedily honouring this manifesto promise upon which he was democratically elected.'.","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36315","proposer":"10001","edm":"1983","session":"2007-08","title":"Mayor Of London, Climate Change And The Proposed \u00c2\u00a325 Congestion Charge","text":"That this House is concerned at the news that Mayor of London Boris Johnson is to drop plans to introduce a \u00c2\u00a325 carbon dioxide charge on the most polluting vehicles entering central London; notes that the plans were introduced in an attempt to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the capital; further notes that the plans would have made huge progress in encouraging people to use public transport in London; recognises that if climate change is ever to be successfully tackled considerable changes like the congestion charges must be brought in; further recognises that dealing with the fuel crisis means people should be encouraged to drive smaller cars and use less fuel; believes it is unfair that by scrapping the plans the taxpayer must finance \u00c2\u00a3400,000 in a legal payout to Porsche; and calls on the Mayor seriously to reconsider his decision bearing in mind the necessity of fighting climate change, the importance of encouraging the use of public transport and the unfairness of asking taxpayers to foot a \u00c2\u00a3400,000 legal bill.","date":"2008-07-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36279","proposer":"10174","edm":"1956","session":"2007-08","title":"Piper Alpha Charitable Trust","text":"That this House recalls with deep sadness the deaths of 167 workers on the Piper Alpha oil rig on 6th July 1988; notes the bravery and dedication of survivors, rescue teams, medical and emergency staff involved; and calls upon the Government and the off-shore oil and gas industry to support the creation of a substantial charitable trust which will further honour the memory of the victims and individuals who work in this challenging sector by providing scholarships to scientists, technologists and other experts who strive to improve the health, safety and effectiveness of the sector.","date":"2008-07-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36246","proposer":"11245","edm":"1924","session":"2007-08","title":"Increase In Fuel Duty","text":"That this House, mindful of the rise in oil prices, urges the Government to scrap the two pence tax increase on a litre of fuel planned for October.","date":"2008-07-01","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36226","proposer":"10032","edm":"1905","session":"2007-08","title":"Twentieth Anniversary Of The Piper Alpha Disaster","text":"That this House notes with sadness the twentieth anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, which claimed the lives of 167 offshore workers on 6th July 1988; further notes the tireless contribution of the Piper Alpha Families' and Survivors' Association to the campaign to raise the standards of offshore safety, which benefits many of the thousands of other offshore workers today; notes the importance of the recommendations that were made in Lord Cullen's report into the disaster; and encourages active engagement between government, the Health and Safety Executive, employers and trades unions to continue to promote a safety culture in the North Sea and other oil provinces around the world.","date":"2008-06-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36123","proposer":"10780","edm":"1819","session":"2007-08","title":"Help For Those Affected By Higher Oil Prices","text":"That this House notes the significant difficulties and hardship caused to many households across the United Kingdom over the past 12 months due to the spiralling costs of fuel, food and other essential items; and calls upon the Government to review the significant increase in revenue obtained through the escalation in crude oil prices during that same time, and introduce fiscal measures using the increased revenue to assist those families and individuals on medium and lower incomes as a matter of urgency.","date":"2008-06-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36097","proposer":"10123","edm":"1793","session":"2007-08","title":"Oil Interests Of Us President Bush And Vice-President Cheney","text":"That this House notes reports that based on US official returns, due to `imprecise ranges' President Bush and Vice-President Cheney could have investments of $20 and $100 million respectively; further notes that the US President has at least $1 million of investments held in a blind trust; further notes that none of the official returns indicate oil interests or investments but believes that both the President and Vice-President have had extensive such interests in the past; considers it very likely that they still have investments in oil, via blind trusts, and that they would very likely be aware of that; further notes that they are likely to resume ownership of oil shares when their terms of office conclude; further notes past campaign contributions from the oil industry; further notes that they have presided over policies which have led to a massive rise in the price of oil and that President Bush, in his latest London visit, gave an interview expressing coolness to the Prime Minister's proposal to bring down the world price of oil; and considers that there is prima facie evidence to consider that President Bush and Vice-President Cheney have acted in a way that lines their own pockets in a way only marginally more sophisticated than dictators of some developing countries in the past.","date":"2008-06-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36033","proposer":"10356","edm":"1747","session":"2007-08","title":"Corgi Carbon Monoxide Report 2008","text":"That this House welcomes the publication of the CORGI Carbon Monoxide Report 2008; notes with concern that between April 2007 and March 2008 there were media reports of 63 carbon monoxide incidents caused by gas appliances in the UK; further notes that these incidents resulted in 21 deaths and 125 injuries where carbon monoxide was the suspected cause; acknowledges that due to the lack of a robust reporting system, the numbers could be even higher than the report suggests; recognises that 52 per cent. of the incidents were caused by a lack of servicing and maintenance of gas appliances; notes that illegal gas workers are 32 times more likely to cause a carbon monoxide-related incident than a CORGI registered installer; and calls on the Government to renew efforts to warn the public of the dangers associated with carbon monoxide and examine ways to ensure that all landlords and homeowners have their gas appliances serviced annually by a CORGI registered installer.","date":"2008-06-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"36013","proposer":"10541","edm":"1727","session":"2007-08","title":"Cross-Departmental Ministerial Task Force On Fuel Poverty","text":"That this House notes with concern that, according to its own estimates, the Government is not on course to meet its statutory obligation to end fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010 and that there have been substantial increases in fuel poverty in all sectors; further notes that the latest Fuel Poverty Advisory Group Annual Report identified that Government programmes lack co-ordination and that the responsibility for fuel poverty is dispersed across many different Government departments; welcomes the recommendations of this report that the roles of all departments need to be clearly defined and that a significant contribution on fuel poverty be made by a Ministerial cross-departmental commitment; further notes that this was also the stated pre-requisite for all other recommendations in the just published seminal report How Much? The cost of alleviating fuel poverty in England to be implemented, as well as the main recommendation from the event Fuel Poverty - Mapping the Next Decade preceding this report; and calls upon the Government to set up a Ministerial cross-departmental task force consisting of the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Health, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Treasury to deal exclusively with ensuring that the Government meets its statutory fuel poverty targets in the short, medium and long-term.","date":"2008-06-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"35999","proposer":"10647","edm":"1713","session":"2007-08","title":"Aviation Duty","text":"That this House expresses its concern about HM Treasury's proposals for a new tax on commercial flights called aviation duty; is further concerned about the damage that this new tax will do to an \u00c2\u00a311 billion industry supporting 700,000 United Kingdom jobs; notes with concern that the UK's position at the centre of a global transport network will be hit, to the detriment of the City, and that long-haul flights from UK regional airports will be cut; further notes with concern that this new tax will achieve none of the environmental benefits intended, and may even cause emissions to increase; recognises the dangers of the introduction of a per plane duty creating market distortions and tax-motivated behaviour which does not deliver environmental benefits; further recognises that the air-freight industry underpins thousands of jobs and that this highly competitive and price-sensitive freight sector is not affected by the existing passenger-related tax, but would be under the new proposals making many freight flights uneconomic; acknowledges that instead of promoting cleaner direct passenger flights, the new tax will be an incentive for more people to take connecting services to Schiphol or Paris with double the number of fuel-intensive take-offs and landings, increasing emissions, costing jobs and putting more foreign HGVs on UK roads; and calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reject proposals for a new aviation duty, which is deeply flawed environmentally, legally and economically.","date":"2008-06-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"35968","proposer":"11589","edm":"1684","session":"2007-08","title":"Oil And Gas Prices","text":"That this House expresses concern that speculation for profit could be a significant factor driving energy price rises; notes evidence to the US Senate's Commerce Committee that the flow of money into the futures market through index funds is exaggerating oil price rises; recognises that in the current market a barrel of oil could be traded up to 12 times before use; further notes that the trade consumption ratio for gas in the UK market is 6:1; calls on the Government to examine the scale and impact of such speculative commodity trading in energy sources; notes the allegation by market commentators that 50 to 60 per cent. of such trading is by banks and other institutional investors; reminds banks of their responsibilities to wider economic and social interests, particularly in circumstances where taxpayers are underwriting the banking system; recognises that the current regulatory regime for gas and electricity offers no recourse against rampant price rises induced by commodity trading; urges Ministers to develop appropriate interventions and restraints in the UK market; and encourages Ministers to seek appropriate consideration and actions in the context of the forthcoming meeting of the G8, including moves to limit commodity indices as a legitimate asset class for institutional investors.","date":"2008-06-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"35906","proposer":"10459","edm":"1625","session":"2007-08","title":"Oil And Gas Regulation","text":"That this House notes with concern the steep and continuing rise in fuel prices which is putting a huge strain on people in an uncertain economic climate; further notes that some practices in the energy supply industry, and especially in the unregulated sectors, have contributed to these price increases; and calls on the Government to ensure the National Consumer Council includes oil, liquid petroleum gas and all other forms of fuel products currently not under regulation within its remit to help people with the massive increases in their energy bills, particularly in rural areas.","date":"2008-05-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"35894","proposer":"11973","edm":"1616","session":"2007-08","title":"Fuel Duty (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes the calls by both the Federation of Small Businesses and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce for the Chancellor to cancel the proposed two pence rise in fuel duty to be introduced in the autumn; further notes figures from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce that the Treasury has received an additional \u00c2\u00a3505 million of revenue due to rising fuel prices over the last six weeks; further notes that deferring the two pence rise by six months would cost \u00c2\u00a3505 million, the same amount as has already been raised through rising prices; and calls on the Chancellor, in light of this dramatic increase in revenues, to scrap the proposed rise in fuel duty and to introduce a fuel price regulator.","date":"2008-05-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"35771","proposer":"11312","edm":"1503","session":"2007-08","title":"Home Fuel Oil Prices","text":"That this House notes the very substantial rises in the price of home fuel oil which many people, particularly in rural areas, rely on for heating; believes that urgent action is needed to tackle fuel poverty amongst those relying on such oil as well as those who use gas and electricity; calls on the Government to investigate the soaring price of fuel oil; and believes this industry should be subject to the same regulation as gas and electricity suppliers.","date":"2008-05-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"35715","proposer":"11420","edm":"1453","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy And Food Prices And Peak Oil","text":"That this House notes that current movements in energy and food prices are in conformance with the predictions as to what would happen as oil production peaks; and calls for the Government urgently to review its predictions as to when peak oil occurs with a view to determining whether or not urgent policy adjustments are called for.","date":"2008-04-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"35638","proposer":"10128","edm":"1391","session":"2007-08","title":"Ineos Reduction In Workforce Pensions","text":"That this House is alarmed by the proposal of INEOS to reduce the pension rights of the workforce at the former BP oil refinery and chemicals complex at Grangemouth, Scotland, from that which had been part of the terms and conditions of employment of the workforce when INEOS bought the BP site; acknowledges that the INEOS proposal is to create a two-tier workforce with all new employees being denied a final salary pension; notes that as a result of the new proposal 97 per cent. of trade union members in an 86 per cent. ballot return voted for strike action after exhaustive negotiations; expresses concern at the aggressive tactics of INEOS senior management in undermining the agreed consultative processes; and supports the efforts of the INEOS workforce and their trade union UNITE to sustain existing pension arrangements on this very profitable complex for the benefit of all current and future employees.","date":"2008-04-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"35392","proposer":"10367","edm":"1171","session":"2007-08","title":"British Gas Pensions","text":"That this House notes the recent announcement by Centrica\/British Gas of record profits; is aware that the shareholders of Centrica have benefited hugely with a 22 per cent. increase in the dividend, which is exactly the same rise as the rise in British Gas bills; is concerned about British Gas's statement that the soaring wholesale cost of gas will push up domestic prices by 22 per cent. next month; has sympathy with the concerns of the GMB union about the treatment of the British Gas workforce who are facing an erosion of their pension conditions at the same time as the announcement of record profits; finds it extremely concerning that the company is seeking to change the trust arrangements for members of the Centrica Pension Scheme which will lessen the protection that members of the scheme have to prevent the company from reducing benefits; asks Centrica to clarify its intentions to close the Centrica Pension Scheme and the Centrica Retirement Income Section scheme to new employees; and further asks British Gas to clarify how exactly it intends to consult with pension scheme members on proposed changes to pension arrangements.","date":"2008-03-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"35349","proposer":"10001","edm":"1129","session":"2007-08","title":"Chinese Investment In Darfur","text":"That this House believes that the continuing crisis in Darfur could be eased by a reduction in foreign investment, most notable of which is Chinese investment in the Sudanese oil industry; and notes that oil revenues have been used to fund the continuing conflict and that, given the international focus on China in the run up to the Beijing Olympic Games, the Government should urge China to reduce its investment in Sudan and join the international community in applying pressure to all parties in the conflict for a peaceful settlement.","date":"2008-03-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"34960","proposer":"10295","edm":"795","session":"2007-08","title":"Petrol Prices","text":"That this House notes that the price of crude oil has recently fallen to $90 per barrel; recognises that this is a consequence of the fluctuations of the stock market which have caused concern over future levels of demand for crude oil; notes that the price of petrol has steadily risen to reach well over 100 pence per litre on the premise that these prices reflect the rise in oil prices; and calls on the main petrol retailers to match the recent decline in oil prices by reducing the price of petrol.","date":"2008-01-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"34922","proposer":"10790","edm":"759","session":"2007-08","title":"Oil And Fuel Pollution Control","text":"That this House notes that fuel and oil leaks are the most frequently reported type of pollution of inland waters in England and Wales; supports the Environmental Industries Commission campaign for a MOT scheme for oil tanks in commercial premises; and calls for further measures to reduce pollution incidents from oil and fuel.","date":"2008-01-23","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"34925","proposer":"10295","edm":"762","session":"2007-08","title":"Fuel Duty","text":"That this House notes that the price of petrol and diesel is set to rise again in April of this year; further notes that fuel prices are over the 100p per litre mark and continue to rise; recognises that this places a significant financial burden on those who are highly dependent upon their car, those on low incomes and those who live in rural areas where public transport is inadequate; and calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to scrap the increase in fuel duty.","date":"2008-01-23","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"34885","proposer":"10785","edm":"728","session":"2007-08","title":"State Aid Regulations And Shetland Fishermen","text":"That this House notes with concern the ruling by the European Commission, under state aid regulations, that Shetland Islands Council must recover monies invested in the local fishing industry using funds paid to Shetland Islands Council by the oil industry as compensation for the disruption caused by the construction of Europe's largest oil terminal at Sullom Voe; further notes that, if the monies have to be repaid, this will impact directly on 78 individual Shetland fishermen who received grants to allow them to invest in boats; welcomes the decision by Shetland Islands Council to apeal this decision to the European Court of Justice; and calls upon both the Scottish Executive and United Kingdon Government to support and assist Shetland Islands Council both with the appeal and with discussions with the European Commission, in order to bring this matter to a successful outcome for Shetland, allowing the Islands Council to continue to build, maintain and sustain the local fishing industry.","date":"2008-01-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Oil, petrol and natural gas","id":"34595","proposer":"10521","edm":"462","session":"2007-08","title":"Prevention Of Deaths Caused By Gas Poisoning","text":"That this House notes with concern that there were 102 carbon monoxide poisoning incidents, claiming 50 lives and causing 218 injuries, between January 2006 and April 2007; recognises that a common cause of death through carbon monoxide poisoning comes from faulty or poorly maintained gas appliances, and can be prevented by having appliances checked annually by a CORGI registered installer; notes that while 90 per cent. of homes now have a smoke alarm installed, only 31 per cent. have an audible carbon monoxide alarm; acknowledges that an illegal gas worker is 32 times more likely to be involved in a serious carbon monoxide incident than a CORGI registered installer; considers that there could be 20,000 illegal gas installers working in the UK; further notes that there are no restrictions on illegal gas workers buying gas appliances; supports the work of the Gas Industry Alliance to introduce voluntary restrictions to make it harder for illegal gas workers to operate; further supports wholeheartedly the initiative taken by the Wolseley Group to stop the sale of gas-carrying parts to non-CORGI registered installers from 2008 through their Parts Centre stores, and urges more retailers to follow their example; believes that a scheme similar to the television licensing scheme where retailers have to log the details of consumers who buy gas appliances would significantly reduce the ability of unregistered gas installers to work illegally; and calls on the Government to work with CORGI to develop such a scheme to help significantly reduce the number of carbon monoxide poisoning incidents.","date":"2007-12-04","status":"c"}]