NORTH EAST PROCESS INDUSTRY CLUSTER AND BIOFUELS

That this House supports the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC), North East Biofuels (NEB) and ONE North East in their collaboration to increase the UK's capability to develop and manufacture transport biofuels; notes the launch of this strategically important initiative which has cross-party support, which takes place in the Palace of Westminster on 20th November 2008; commends NEPIC and NEB industrialists and farmers for working together and providing insights and business initiatives that supports a sustainable biofuels strategy; acknowledges that the considerable amount of research undertaken requires public sector support and that the 500 companies involved have concern about the availability of skilled staff; and further acknowledges that the innovative projects, business development and infrastructure collaboration complementing the development of food and fuel are significant to the growth of the region's economy as well as helping to reduce the nation's energy bill and carbon footprint.