---

UK Government's Energy Policy

May I say what a pleasure it is to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Caton? I am sure I will learn much, as I chair the Welsh Affairs Committee, from esteemed colleagues such as your good self. May I also say that it is a pleasure to debate energy policy as it relates to Britain at the moment? This is one area that has not yet been entirely devolved to the Welsh Assembly. As a proud Welshman and a proud British citizen, I have never been a supporter of the Assembly, but I support the fact that it is there and needs to be able to work as effectively as it can for Wales. It is no secret that I voted against further powers for the Assembly, but I fully accept—like any democrat—the results of the recent referendum. I look forward to working with the Assembly and trying to make a positive contribution to it on energy and all other matters. I took some heart from the result of the referendum campaign, which showed that the vast majority of people in Wales, while supporting the Assembly in some form, also believe that many powers need to reside at Westminster. Energy is a case in point. It was interesting that so many of those who campaigned for a yes vote were saying, ““We’ll go this far, but we don’t want to take it any further. Don’t listen to the nationalists—