Today I asked Jesse Norman a question on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and urged his government to approve the scheme, a vital project to ensure the future of our steel industry.
Mr Stephen Kinnock (Aberavon):
Thank you Mr Speaker. The future of the British steel industry depends on the approval of vital, cutting edge projects such as the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon. Will the Secretary of State please now call time on these two years of prevarication and commit to a timely and positive decision and ensure that this is included in the Autumn Statement on the 23rd November?
Jesse Norman, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Minister:
Well of course it is important to recognise this in the context of the steel industry the commitment that the government has made to Hinkley Point C, which is a major industrial commitment of its own. I recognise the point the Hon Gentleman makes, but we are not going to be railroaded beyond the timetable that has already been described. We have an orderly process in place, we have a highly respected former Minister running it and we will be looking at it with the proper consideration that it deserves.