INCREASE IN GAS PRICES

Early day motion 403, tabled 15 December 2004 by Laurence Robertson (Conservative). Signed by 94 members.

That this House is concerned by the rise in gas prices over recent months and the competitive disadvantage which is resulting for British businesses; is further concerned about the effect of such price rises are having on people who suffer from fuel poverty; understands that the cause of the rise in gas prices is largely due to international instability in the markets; notes that the United Kingdom's indigenous gas supplies are starting to diminish and that the UK will become a net importer of gas by 2006; believes that further upwards pressure on gas prices could occur because of the increasingly international nature of supplies; regrets that the European energy markets are not liberalised; calls upon the Government to explain where future gas supplies will come from after 2006; urges the Government to press for a greater degree of liberalisation in European markets; and further calls on the Government to take all necessary steps to secure sufficient gas supplies for the United Kingdom.

Signatures by party: Conservative 54, Labour 17, Liberal Democrat 14, DUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 2, UUP 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.