Energy Bill

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Blaydon (Mr. Anderson) for a superb Third Reading speech; I am glad to have heard it at this point because it much encouraged me. I shall try to respond to the points that must not remain on the record without a response being given and on which I have been asked questions. I asked the hon. Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry) to provide the details of the companies that supported his view that an EPS set at the right level would encourage investment. I must tell him that the Scottish and Southern Energy Group has said that""even legislation which provides for an EPS to be introduced at a level to be decided later, could deter investment, because it increases political risk"." RWE has said that""the threat of any introduction of an EPS would act as a strong deterrent for investment in new plant"." I believe that he is unable to support his arguments and, thus, his case for an EPS.