Climate Change and SustainableEnergy Bill

It is a pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), with whom I agree absolutely that there is a good bit in the Bill about energy security. There is also some important stuff about diversity of supply and the promotion of competition. I disagree with him, however, on whether there is a balance of scientific opinion to show that clause 1(1) makes the correct assumption on which to base the Bill. The clause states:"““The principal purpose of this Act is to enhance the United Kingdom’s contribution to combating climate change.””" Having looked at quite a lot of evidence, it is my considered opinion that the case for that assumption has not been made. Indeed, I would say to my hon. Friends the Members for Surrey Heath and for South-West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous), and to other hon. Friends who have spoken so ably in the debate, that they should look at the article by our noble Friend, Lord Lawson of Blaby, which was published in The Spectator in March this year.