I welcome the opportunity to contribute this evening. I am going to concentrate on the Bill itself and its substance. It is by any measure a technical Bill - a little bit technical, perhaps unexciting, but very important because it deals with something incredibly important, that is, the safety of our citizens in their own homes. When gas safety regulations are not upheld, the consequences are severe, immediate and catastrophic in some cases. That reality should highlight just how necessary it is for the powers of the CRU to be expanded under this legislation to further protect customers. From my reading of the Bill, it is clear that there is a notable gap in the current legislation. That gap was exposed nearly a decade ago when the regulator became aware of unlicensed LPG networks serving housing developments and apartment complexes. Subsequent inspections showed that a fair number of these sites required immediate intervention to address pretty fundamental safety concerns. This Bill responds in a measured way to this by introducing a more comprehensive regime that would bring these operators under the gas safety regulatory framework. Under these changes, a two-class system for LPG safety licences will be established, replacing the existing LPG safety licences. Additionally, there is also a requirement now for LPG and natural gas undertakings to prepare their own safety cases for submission to the CRU and for consideration by it. Ultimately, it is vitally important that all operators of piped LPG distribution networks are regulated with respect to safety so that the general public - the punters - and, in particular, end customers - our families, friends and neighbours - are protected. As a colleague rightly pointed out in this Chamber earlier, regulation without enforcement is not regulation at all. I believe this legislation is a fundamental step in achieving this goal, and I look forward to engaging constructively with the Minister of State over the coming months as it makes its way through this House.

Sentiment score: 0.43