SNP MP to be appointed as new chairman of UK Energy Committee at Westminster

MPs from Scottish National Party are to be allocated the chairmanship of two Select Committees in Westminster – including Energy, a key economic lever which the party is determined to press as hard as possible to progress its Scottish energy policies.

Having returned a political tsunami of 56 MPs to Westminster from Scotland (from 59 Scottish seats) at the general election earlier this month, the SNP is now the third-largest political party in the House of Commons, and is thereby entitled to appoint its MPs as chairmen of two committees.

See also:

Scottish Energy Minister and Scottish Energy News  (22 May, Scottish Energy News – http://goo.gl/omNo5E )

First Minister launches new Scottish energy manifesto for UK Govt on oil, gas, renewables, coal and Grid  (21 May, Scottish Energy News  http://goo.gl/FQQBA8

Commenting on the news the Scottish National Party will chair the UK Parliament’s Energy and Climate Change Select Committee – and also the Scottish Affairs Select Committee – the party’s Chief Whip Mike Weir MP said:

“I’m delighted that the SNP has secured the convener-ships of these two very important committees following our record-win of 56 seats in the general election.

“Both the Energy and Climate Change select committee, and Scottish Affairs select committee, are especially important to Scotland in this parliament.

“We will be seeing one of the major bills coming forward in the Scotland Bill on more powers for Scotland, and of course the Energy and Climate Change committee is of particular importance with our oil and gas sector and renewables industry.

“The SNP chairing these committees will allow us to make progress on these important issues, and will help us get the best deal for Scotland.”

The new SNP chairman of the Energy Committee will replace Tim Yeo, the Tory MP who held the post in the last UK parliament.