Energy Bill Is Wasted Opportunity

2.08.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 10th May 2004

Commenting ahead of today's debate on the Second Reading of the Energy Bill,

Andrew Stunell MP, Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesman, said: "This thin piece of legislation barely scratches the surface of measures that must be taken if the Government is to promote secure and sustainable supplies of energy.

"Carbon emissions are rising fast and the Government is falling further behind its own targets.

"The Government must not backtrack on the improvements made by the House of Lords. Liberal Democrats will be working hard to beef up the bill."

Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, added: "This is a tragically missed opportunity. We should have a Strategic Energy Bill to meet the environmental challenge and ensure the lights stay on.

"Instead the Government has given us a grubby Nuclear Industry Bail Out Bill."