Climate Change and SustainableEnergy Bill

I start by adding my condolences to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, North and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz). I congratulate him on the success of the Bill so far. I also pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker), who has been a vigorous contributor to the Bill. Its current state reflects the great deal of attention that he has paid to it during recent weeks and months. I will keep my remarks short, because I am keen for us to get on to other business, which includes my own contribution to tackling climate change, or at least halting the deterioration of our environment—my Bill on protecting back gardens. I am sure that the Father of the House is keen to get on to his Bill, too. This time last week, I visited the home in my constituency of Mr. Paul Norris of High Brooms, who has installed a series of solar panels of his house. He has already had remarkable success. In recent weeks, he has managed to produce more solar energy than he is consuming. In addition to the savings that he is making, which he estimates will be in the order of £300 a year, he is saving about 1,000 kg of CO2 emissions. That stands as an example of how rapidly the technology is moving. It is already at the point of being economically viable. When we have beautiful days such as we had this morning in Tunbridge Wells before I left, Mr. Norris finds great satisfaction in the knowledge that the sunshine is contributing to energy that goes beyond his own requirements and is powering the houses of his neighbours.