Clean Air Initiatives

4. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to encourage clean air initiatives in Northern Ireland.

The objectives of clean air initiatives in all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland, are unchallengeable. The hon. Gentleman will know that the measures to deliver such initiatives are of course a devolved matter in Northern Ireland.

I had the privilege to be in Northern Ireland and to speak in the Titanic centre, and I was thinking of the Minister while I was there—obviously, I do not know why, but I was thinking of him. While there I listened to the great progress that Northern Ireland has made in switching to hydrogen-based buses and waste vehicles. Is there not a real problem, because there is no supply of hydrogen in Northern Ireland and all of it has to be imported? Why does the Minister not get behind Northern Ireland business to ensure that it can produce its own hydrogen?

I very much hope that the hon. Gentleman’s speech at the Titanic centre went down well. The Government are committed to our hydrogen strategy, and we very much hope that the Executive will return and play their part in delivering it.