Urgent Debates Declined — Greenhouse Gas Reduction—2020 Target

I have received a letter from Jeanette Fitzsimons seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the Government’s decision to commit to an emissions reduction target range of 10 percent to 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. Yesterday I considered a similar application from Charles Chauvel. It was declined in favour of another application of more immediate significance—the decision to commit SAS personnel to Afghanistan.

An application for an urgent debate that is set aside under Standing Order 382 may be submitted on the following day. However, there is no guarantee that it will be accepted for debate on that day. The target is a conditional one. Yesterday there were two questions for oral answer on the matter. There is a select committee inquiry under way. As I said yesterday, there will be further opportunities to debate the matter. In these circumstances I am not persuaded that the business of the House should be set aside today. The matter is one that can be considered over a longer time frame. The application is therefore declined.