Heron's Eye: 30/10/08

Chancellor demands cheaper petrol as Shell posts record profits 30/10/08
“Alistair Darling today called on oil companies to pass on lower costs to consumers by cutting petrol prices as Royal Dutch Shell posted a 71% rise in profits.

The chancellor said that he wanted the recent drop in the oil price, which has halved in recent months, to be passed on to the pumps as soon as possible.” [Guardian]

Government accused of breaking rules over Sellafield decommissioning plans 30/10/08
“The government was last night under pressure from parliament's most powerful watchdog committee to re-open consultations on the deal which has landed taxpayers with the bill for nuclear accidents and leaks when a private consortium takes over the decommissioning of Sellafield next month.

Edward Leigh, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee, has written to Ed Miliband, the energy and climate change secretary, telling him that his ministry had broken Treasury rules and failed to given MPs the opportunity to object to the indemnity to private firms.” [Guardian]

Ministers accused of arrogance over 128-day parliamentary session 30/10/08
“Opposition politicians have accused the government of "arrogantly" misusing its oversight of parliamentary business, as it emerged yesterday that the number of days MPs would attend parliament in the next session would be the smallest since 1979-80.” [Guardian]

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