Energy Prices

Lord Barker of Battle Excerpts

Wednesday 14th January 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

Indeed. The danger is that the Government—some sort of Gosplan regulator—would effectively have to decide the purchasing strategies of all energy companies. Clearly, Labour has found someone who is much better than all the market participants. I do not know who that individual is; he has not been identified. Not only is this a lot of nonsense, but it will be very costly. Firms will face higher administrative costs. They will have to notify customers of price changes far more regularly, and the customer will have to pay for that.

[Gregory Barker (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend give way on that?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Dawn Primarolo)]

Order. The Secretary of State will not be giving way. The right hon. Gentleman joined the debate late. He has not been in the Chamber very long. It is a timed debate that has to end at 4.30 at the latest, and I have 13 speakers. After nearly an hour into the debate, we still have not completed the opening speeches. The Secretary of State will resume.