COMPETITION IN THE DOWNSTREAM GAS INDUSTRY

That this House notes the Government's proposal to allow the gas Industry Regulator to bring forward the extension of competition to all residential consumers, and notes that the Official Opposition have prayed against the Statutory Instrument in order that there be a full debate on how best to introduce competition on the earliest practicable timetable; notes that the Labour Party welcomes the introduction of a choice in energy supplier; believes that it is important that competition is introduced smoothly so that it benefits all customers and so that they have confidence in the system; believes that the Government has not properly consulted upon or learnt from the experiences of the competition pilot in the South West in terms of consumer protection or settlement systems; believes that the Government should work with regulators, industry and consumers to introduce a code of practice to ensure that consumers are protected from unfair trading practice and that they can have the confidence to switch to new suppliers; notes that the Labour Party questions the decision to press ahead with greater urgency without consultation and if elected to form a government, will consider the Government's recent proposal on changing the timetable for introducing competition in partnership with industry, the regulators and consumer; condemns the Government for bringing forward procedures without proper consultation or addressing the problems of the pilot project; and calls on the Government to table a report for discussion in the House on the pilot project before proceeding.