---

Fuel Poverty Bill

I am happy to follow the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) and to discover such broad support around the House for the Bill's objectives, even though, of course, points have been made that can be properly taken up in Committee. Throughout my youth, it was customary just before midnight on new year's eve for someone—usually the darkest person—to go outside the door of our home and to come back in with coal, bread and a coin. Those were the three things that every household was thought to be in need of. They symbolised prosperity and a satisfactory life—and the coal was not irrelevant.