Energy Bill

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that smart meters could play an important role in dealing with fuel poverty, for example by ending overcharging because of prepayment meters and dealing with back-charging through changing tariffs because of the way in which smart meters work? Perhaps that is a further imperative in support of early adoption. Will the hon. Gentleman comment on the sunset provision in new clause 8 that requires changes under subsection (1) of the new clause to take place before five years are up? Will he suggest to the Minister that that could be considered as some sort of time scale for ensuring that consultations on the implementation of such a programme end urgently and early?