§ 11. Mr. Owen Paterson (North Shropshire)If he will make a statement on the impact of the Government's energy policy on commercial competitiveness. [128950]
§ The Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe (Mrs. Helen Liddell)The Government's policy of promoting and developing competition in energy markets has led to significant reductions in industrial gas and electricity prices. Average industrial energy prices in 1999 were at their lowest since 1970 in real terms. This is a huge competitive advantage for British industry. Indeed, electricity prices have gone down even further this year in anticipation of the new electricity trading arrangements that we discussed earlier with my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. Clapham).
§ Mr. PatersonIn total contrast to what the Minister has just said, a major UK haulier told me recently that, thanks to the Government's energy taxation policy, he would be £1.4 million a year better off if he moved all his 75 trucks to Luxembourg. The Government's energy policy is making every business in this country less competitive. If I am wrong—[HON. MEMBERS: "You are."] If I am wrong, can the Minister, for the first time this Question Time, answer a very simple question? Can she name three businesses that are more competitive under this Government's energy taxation policy?
§ Mrs. LiddellIt is not often that the hon. Gentleman is right, and he is wrong again. He seems to have forgotten who introduced the fuel duty escalator. That was a direct consequence of the action taken by the previous Government. The Government have listened to the representations from industry. [Interruption.] The Conservatives do not like facts, but the fact is that we have reduced industrial gas and electricity prices, helping every intensive energy user in the country. Much combined heat and power activity imports energy for its schemes; that comes directly from reduced gas and electricity prices. If the hon. Gentleman is so concerned about the views of industry, he should go and talk to those involved about the benefits that have resulted from the Government's energy policy.