Part of Energy Bill [Lords] – in a Public Bill Committee am 10:45 am ar 21 Mehefin 2011.
Huw Irranca-Davies
Shadow Minister (Energy and Climate Change)
10:45,
21 Mehefin 2011
I rise to give the Minister a proper opportunity to introduce the Clause. I welcome it, because it recognises the expertise that has resided in the Coal Authority over many years in respect of subsidence, and the potential for that expertise to be applied more widely than purely in respect of coal mining. How does the hon. Gentleman see the new powers being utilised by the Coal Authority? Can he give us an assurance that its core functions in coal subsidence will not be affected by extending its remit beyond that? How has he dealt with the danger or the perils of the Coal Authority, with its special status and renowned expertise, driving out competition unfairly when it wants to competes in a wider market for its services? The same questions stand for clause 104 in respect of Scotland. Rather than repeat my comments, perhaps both I and the Minister can deal with both clauses in one go.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
