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Energy Regulations (Consumer Prices)

I agree that the time has come to have a minimum floor for social tariffs. I have great hopes of the Minister, and he gave a thoughtful interview on the ““Today”” programme this morning. If he looks back at the White Paper, he will see the comment: ““If no further action is undertaken by the companies”” the Government"““will consider whether to take the opportunity for legislation to enable the Secretary of State to require companies to have an adequate programme of support for their most vulnerable customers. In this context, we may consider the role of mandated minimum standards for social tariffs””." The Energy Bill provides the opportunity to do more than just to consider; it provides the opportunity to put that into effect. I was almost moved during the Minister's interview this morning when he replied to the claim that we have 22,000 more deaths among the elderly population in winter than in summer. The reason for that can only be energy prices. In Scandinavia, there is no significant difference between the number of winter and summer deaths. We have a chance to make a difference on our own watch as MPs and as a Government. We have a target of eliminating fuel poverty by 2016, so I hope that the Minister will take further steps in the Energy Bill. I said that I would say a few words about gas storage and pipelines. The matter was dominant in the news 12 or 18 months ago when wholesale gas prices were high, but went off the political agenda during a short period when there was rather less pressure on wholesale gas prices. I understand that about a year ago, Ofgem consulted on the operation of the gas storage market, gas pipelines and so on. I would be interested if the Minister could brief us on the conclusions of the Ofgem inquiry, his response to it, and whether there is a case for instituting in law third-party access to gas storage and gas pipelines, which the hon. Member for Twickenham mentioned.