Further to the statement made, by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 29 November 2005 launching the Energy Review, I am pleased to inform the House that the Government have today launched the public phase of this Review, and that I have written to all MPs to inform them of the launch.The consultation has a broad scope and will consider both energy supply and demand. The consultation reinforces the Government's commitment to the four main policy goals as set out in the 2003 Energy White Paper:to put ourselves on a path to cut the UK's carbon dioxide emissions—the main contributor to global warming—by some 60 per cent. by about 2050 with real progress by 2020;to maintain the reliability of energy supplies;to promote competitive markets in the UK and beyond, helping to raise the rate of sustainable economic growth and to improve our productivity; andto ensure that every home is adequately and affordably heated.The consultation document sets out the energy challenges we are currently facing, and invites responses to the evidence presented as well as asking what more should be done to secure clean, affordable energy for the long term, I am keen to stimulate a wide-ranging and informed debate on energy policy issues.I have made copies of the consultation document, "Our Energy Challenge: securing clean, affordable energy for the long term" available in the Vote Office and the Libraries of the House. Copies and further information are also available on the Internet at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review.The key questions posed by the consultation document are:What more could the Government do on the demand or supply side to ensure that the UK's long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions is met?With the UK becoming a net energy importer and with big investments to be made over the next 20 years in generating capacity and networks, what further steps, if any, should the Government take to develop our market framework for delivering reliable energy supplies? In particular, we invite views on the implications of increased dependence on gas imports.The Energy White Paper left open the option of nuclear new build. Are there particular considerations that should apply to nuclear, as the Government re-examine the issues bearing on new build? If so, what are these, and how should the Government address them?Are there particular considerations that should apply to carbon abatement and other low-carbon technologies in the context of electricity generation?What further steps should be taken towards meeting the Government's goals for ensuring that every home is adequately and affordably heated?Comments are also invited on:The long term potential of energy efficiency measures in the transport, residential business and public sectors, and how best to achieve that potentialImplications in the medium and long term for the transmission and network networks of significant new build in gas and electricity generation infrastructureOpportunities for more joint working with other countries on our energy policy goalsPotential measures to help bring forward technologies to replace fossil fuels in transport and heat generation in the medium and long term.The Government have a genuinely open mind on solutions. However, it is clear that there are no simple "one-technology" answers. The Review will take account of the evidence gathered during the consultation when developing its proposals.

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