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Proceeding contribution from Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 10 March 2011. It occurred during Grand Committee proceedings (HC) on UK Government's Energy Policy.


UK Government's Energy Policy

My right hon. Friend is very kind. To follow the Secretary of State and the former Secretary of State—well, wait till I tell them at home. I was saying that there is a lack of transparency in the market, and making real comparisons between the different deals is difficult, especially for lay people. The industry seems to be competitive, but some people, including my constituents, think that that is illusionary, and that large players in the business have a profound influence on prices. That affects people’s ability to buy sufficient gas ahead, especially in critical periods such as Christmas. I understand that the Office of Fair Trading has looked at the industry, and concluded that there was no problem with competition and, by implication, with supply and its robustness—the crucial point that I was making this morning. It pointed to the healthy, large number of small suppliers at local level, but I understand that some large players have bought some of the smaller ones, and may have achieved a dominant market position. The main supplier, Stanlow in Cheshire, has a profound effect on the robustness of supply. Given that possible market dominance, does the Minister think there is room for the OFT to look again at LPG supply? I will be interested to hear his opinion, either now or by letter. Gas and electricity suppliers have a social tariff, but there is no social tariff for LPG. I understand that details of the renewable heat obligation are being announced today.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
WGC c33 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
Subjects
Conservation Coal Carbon capture and storage Energy Electricity generation Nuclear power Railways Prices Wales Renewable energy Electrification
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk