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Energy Bill

I look forward very much to meeting the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, for further discussions on this subject. However, before we debate this issue, I have to point out that in 1996 there were 6.5 million households in fuel poverty and there are now 2.5 million. Of course, that is 2.5 million too many, but the fact that we have reduced the number should be put on the record and taken into account, although we all know that in the past year the number has increased. That is why I slightly resent—but no more than that—the comment of the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, in relation to a previous Conservative Secretary of State responsible for energy having to tell this Government something. I think our record on this is pretty good—not perfect, but pretty good.