However, if we had taken greater notice of the signals then and, rather than taking advantage of cheap oil, started to take action, we would not be facing the very large gap in our energy needs over the next 10 years that has been clearly identified in the Government's recent energy White Paper, nor would the whole of Europe be facing an Energy Security Crisis.

In the current instance, the root of the instability lies in the American credit market, but it could just as easily lie in an Energy Security Crisis in Japan or China, or in some, as yet, undefined problem.

He mentioned the Energy Bill, but he must realise that at this stage of a Parliament, faced with the current Crisis in Our Energy Security, it is so weak and feeble in its contribution to solving the problem as to defy belief.

That is a welcome change, but I remain acutely concerned about the Government's wider approach and I fear the growing possibility of an Energy Security Crisis.

I welcomed the change but expressed serious concern about energy policy and the possibility of an Acute Energy Security Crisis.