Member

The third question is: why is the strategy and policy statement not the right and sufficient means by which the Government set out the strategic priorities for Ofgem and NESO? I ask this because Section 165 of the Energy Act, which requires them to have regard to these statements, makes clear that the strategy and policy statement is the one that is published under Section 131(1) of the Energy Act 2013 and that it can be published only if the procedural and consultation requirements in Section 135 of the 2013 Act have been complied with. It will not surprise noble Lords to know that this means that it should be published in draft; that it should be the subject of consultation; and that it should then be laid before Parliament and subject to the approval of both Houses prior to its designation as a strategy and policy statement.