This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7218780.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Government wins in EU energy vote Government wins in EU energy vote
(about 4 hours later)
Ministers have won a Commons vote on energy rules in the EU treaty, despite being accused of a "massive failure".Ministers have won a Commons vote on energy rules in the EU treaty, despite being accused of a "massive failure".
Tory frontbencher Alan Duncan said the treaty could force the UK to divert energy to other states in an emergency.Tory frontbencher Alan Duncan said the treaty could force the UK to divert energy to other states in an emergency.
During the debate he told MPs: "A gas dispute in Bavaria could ultimately lead to gas rationing in Birmingham."During the debate he told MPs: "A gas dispute in Bavaria could ultimately lead to gas rationing in Birmingham."
Energy minister Malcolm Wicks said the EU had to speak with "one voice" on energy, to tackle issues like climate change and secure supplies.Energy minister Malcolm Wicks said the EU had to speak with "one voice" on energy, to tackle issues like climate change and secure supplies.
During the second day of detailed topic-by-topic debates on the controversial Lisbon treaty, MPs voted to approve the government's policy on energy provisions by 367 to 169 votes.During the second day of detailed topic-by-topic debates on the controversial Lisbon treaty, MPs voted to approve the government's policy on energy provisions by 367 to 169 votes.
'Mysterious and evasive''Mysterious and evasive'
A Tory amendment, rejecting the same policy, was defeated by 369 to 170 votes.A Tory amendment, rejecting the same policy, was defeated by 369 to 170 votes.
Earlier, shadow business secretary Alan Duncan attacked the treaty as a "massive failure of political will, a total failure of negotiating wit"Earlier, shadow business secretary Alan Duncan attacked the treaty as a "massive failure of political will, a total failure of negotiating wit"
Our government has essentially written a blank cheque to Brussels Alan DuncanShadow business secretaryOur government has essentially written a blank cheque to Brussels Alan DuncanShadow business secretary
He said parts of the treaty dealing with energy were "oblique, mysterious and evasive" and would allow the EU to pass laws ensuring security of supply and the interconnection of energy networks.He said parts of the treaty dealing with energy were "oblique, mysterious and evasive" and would allow the EU to pass laws ensuring security of supply and the interconnection of energy networks.
"Our government has essentially written a blank cheque to Brussels, which could, under certain situations, oblige the UK, for example, to assist in the building of other member states' energy infrastructure," he said."Our government has essentially written a blank cheque to Brussels, which could, under certain situations, oblige the UK, for example, to assist in the building of other member states' energy infrastructure," he said.
He said it could mean Britain was told what to do about its nuclear power stations, or the proposed Severn Barrage.He said it could mean Britain was told what to do about its nuclear power stations, or the proposed Severn Barrage.
Energy divertedEnergy diverted
And he said, under a "solidarity" clause - the European Council could redistribute energy across the bloc in a crisis.And he said, under a "solidarity" clause - the European Council could redistribute energy across the bloc in a crisis.
"A gas dispute in Bavaria could ultimately lead to gas rationing in Birmingham. If there's an interruption in the Gulf the commission can override our own contracts," Mr Duncan said."A gas dispute in Bavaria could ultimately lead to gas rationing in Birmingham. If there's an interruption in the Gulf the commission can override our own contracts," Mr Duncan said.
The policy objectives of tackling climate change and securing energy supply seem to us entirely laudable Steve WebbLib DemsThe policy objectives of tackling climate change and securing energy supply seem to us entirely laudable Steve WebbLib Dems
Tory MP Charles Hendry added that, under qualified majority voting, a country would be unable to resist having its energy diverted, if the Council of Ministers so ruled.Tory MP Charles Hendry added that, under qualified majority voting, a country would be unable to resist having its energy diverted, if the Council of Ministers so ruled.
But they was challenged by some on their own benches - including former chancellor Ken Clarke, who said: "How on earth is this giving powers to Europe to veto the Severn Barrage? It explicitly says that this isn't the case." But they were challenged by some on their own benches - including former chancellor Ken Clarke, who said: "How on earth is this giving powers to Europe to veto the Severn Barrage? It explicitly says that this isn't the case."
Labour's former trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt said Europe's energy market was "highly fragmented" and needed to be joined up.Labour's former trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt said Europe's energy market was "highly fragmented" and needed to be joined up.
And Tory MP Ian Taylor said, with a growing dependence on imported energy, "we can't influence things by ourselves. We are in this together in a much more insecure world".And Tory MP Ian Taylor said, with a growing dependence on imported energy, "we can't influence things by ourselves. We are in this together in a much more insecure world".
Energy minister Malcolm Wicks denied that a country would be forced by the EU to release stocks of oil.Energy minister Malcolm Wicks denied that a country would be forced by the EU to release stocks of oil.
He said it was "obvious" that Britain could achieve most when "we act together with our international partners."He said it was "obvious" that Britain could achieve most when "we act together with our international partners."
He added: "We are looking forward, unfortunately many opposite, but not all, are rapidly pushing the rewind button of European history.He added: "We are looking forward, unfortunately many opposite, but not all, are rapidly pushing the rewind button of European history.
For the Lib Dems, Steve Webb said: "The policy objectives of tackling climate change and securing energy supply seem to us entirely laudable.For the Lib Dems, Steve Webb said: "The policy objectives of tackling climate change and securing energy supply seem to us entirely laudable.
"They seem to us ones where the national interest and the European interest are in harmony, not in conflict, and therefore rather than being hostile to them we should be embracing them.""They seem to us ones where the national interest and the European interest are in harmony, not in conflict, and therefore rather than being hostile to them we should be embracing them."