Energy Market Reform

Debate between Gordon Birtwistle and Barry Gardiner

Wednesday 24th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Gordon Birtwistle]

That is true, but my point is that fuel is bought and sold on the open market. We need to ensure that the supply of both gas and nuclear fuel in this country is secure for the long term. We do not want to rely on foreign suppliers, because that could bring about a situation similar to that in Chechnya when the Russians turned the gas off.

[Barry Gardiner]

The hon. Gentleman is right to focus on security of supply, which is an essential part of the future of the market. He said that the price of gas would go up and down in accordance with the cost of procuring it on the open market. Can he explain why the wholesalers who generate the electricity by means of that gas do not drop their retail prices when wholesale prices have dropped in the international markets?

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. May I remind those who continue to intervene that they will be placed at the bottom of the list rather than the top, because they have already spoken? I am sure that they will want to save something for their speeches.