TABLE

Proceedings	Time for conclusion of proceedings
Clauses 1 to 5, Schedule 1, Clauses 6 to 14, Schedule 2, Clauses 15 and 16, Schedule 3, Clauses 17 to 30, Schedule 4, Clauses 31 to 41, Schedule 5, Clause 42, Schedule 6, Clauses 43 to 48, Schedule 7, Clause 49, Schedule 8, Clause 50, Schedule 9, Clauses 51 to 54, Schedule 10, Clauses 55 and 56, Schedule 11, Clauses 57 to 64, Schedule 12, Clauses 65 and 66, Schedule 13, Clauses 67 to 72, Schedule 14, Clauses 73 to 78, Schedule 15, Clauses 79 to 83	5.00 pm on 27th May
Clauses 84 to 96, Schedule 16, Clauses 97 to 135, Schedule 17, Clauses 136 to 138, Schedule 18, Clauses 139 and 140, Schedule 19, Clauses 141 to 156, Schedules 20 and 21, Clauses 157 to 170, Schedule 22, Clauses 171 to 193, Schedule 23, Clause 194, new Clauses, new Schedules and any remaining proceedings on the Bill.	5.00 pm on 24th June

Energy Bill [Lords]
8:55 am

Mr Laurence Robertson (Shadow Minister, Economic Affairs; Tewkesbury, Conservative)

I echo the Minister's remarks, not for the last time, I am sure. Indeed, I entirely agree that it is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. O'Brien; I have done so before, and I know that an enjoyable experience awaits us all.

I also echo the Minister's remarks about welcoming other hon. Members. However, I extend an apology to those who attended the Programming Sub-Committee on Monday. Due to illness, I could not attend. I apologise for my absence, and thank those who did attend.

The Minister said that the Second Reading debate was interesting, and that we agreed on many of the issues raised. We also discussed one or two of the amendments to the Bill made by Members of another place. Those matters may be slightly more contentious, but they are also important. I look forward to debating them. The Minister spoke of the need to set up the NDA and to extend to Scotland the electricity trading arrangements for England and Wales. Those are both important aspects of the Bill.

The Bill has 194 Clauses and a great many schedules, and 24 June may seem a long time away. However, given that we have one week off for the recess and a day off for the local and European elections, and especially given that we must reach Clause 83 by 5 o'clock next Thursday, we do not have a great deal of time to debate much of the Bill. I acknowledge that there is a need to make rapid progress, but I hope that that does not mean that we cannot give the Bill the detailed consideration that these important matters deserve. That said, I am pleased to serve on the Committee. May I say again, Mr. O'Brien, that I look forward to serving under your chairmanship?

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