DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW ELECTRICITY TRADING ARRANGEMENTS

Motion Text

That this House welcomes the commitment within the Utilities Act 2000 to ensuring competitive energy markets where all participants have equal rights; urges Ofgem's Callum McCarthy to do everything in his power to implement New Electricity Trading Arrangements by the revised deadline set by him of 27th March 2001; and regrets the delay so far in implementing NETA, the cost of which to industry and consumers is estimated at ú1.5 billion, damaging manufacturing industry in the UK at a time when gas prices are also rising.