Questions to Hilary Benn

I had the opportunity to meet Hilary Benn MP - UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - when he was in Edinburgh on party business last week. At a wide-ranging discussion with party activists and candidates I was able to raise with him my concerns about on-shore wind-farms. He is, of course, a strong and passionate supporter of the climate change agenda and the need to develop renewables, but my questions did give him pause for thought. He asked me to write formally to him at his department and promised to raise my concerns with Ed Milliband as well.

1 How do we ensure that construction of renewable energy schemes will get us to the point where we can stop building new gas and coal-fired power stations and reduce the use of existing non-renewable plant.

2. Does the Renewable Obligation mechanism need changed again in order to encourage more investment in large-scale offshore and small community renewable schemes, rather than on-shore wind.

3. The UK is leading the world in the development of off-shore wind and wave power technology, with major opportunities to exploit such technology around the north of Scotland. What do we need to do to make sure that this translates into long term, sustainable employment in the Highlands?

I shall publish his reply when I have it.