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Energy Bill

I thank my noble friend for his reasoned response. I have two points. First, when we talk about reports, we are still living in the pre-computer age. While it is not in the amendment, given the plethora of information available it would be helpful if the website of the department, where it related to energy matters, was a proper one with links, so that things could be added at an appropriate time. For example, I will take one small case. I am not making a debating point; I am trying to be helpful. It is now abundantly clear that instead of just having in September and October the auction for gas, which determines in large measure the next quarter’s electricity and gas prices to the consumer—industrial or domestic—we now know that those auctions often take place in April and May as well, so a number of the statistics on their own seem largely meaningless if they are not linked with other sets. Our preoccupation with paper sometimes requires us to think in terms of publication dates and reports, whereas the updating of a website and appropriate links would provide a running commentary, not to trip the Government up but to make the debate better informed. At the moment, we are often dependent on highly coloured and often misleading press reporting of some of these transactions and market situations. Therefore, I would like to think that when we get to Report and Third Reading, we could think more flexibly. I happen to be almost computer illiterate so I am not in any position to lecture, but I know the fundamentals of how to get round Google-world. A lot of other people also do and would benefit if the Government were prepared to release information rather more regularly than the requirements of a 12-month calendar cycle.