Energy Suppliers and Prices
Debate between Caroline Lucas and Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown(12 years, 10 months ago)
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Caroline Lucas
There are a whole set of complex reasons why energy markets are different in various member states. If everything is completely clean and above board, with no excess profits being made, that can be examined in a public inquiry. That is exactly why we need a public inquiry. I can assure the hon. Gentleman, as I am sure that he knows from his own constituents, that that is not the perception of the vast majority of ordinary people who are faced on the one hand with rising energy bills and on the other hand with stories in the newspapers about rising energy company profits.
Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP)
Does the hon. Lady agree that, irrespective of what is happening in other countries, the truth is that many ordinary working families and small businesses are finding it hard to survive, and the increase in energy costs is certainly putting some under?
Caroline Lucas
I certainly agree with that. That is much of the motivation for securing the debate this morning.