§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the total expenditure in 2002–03 on the Solar PV Major Demonstration Programme has been spent on administration and management of the programme; and what percentage has been allocated to customers in capital grants.[109103]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 14 April 2003]: In the first financial year of the programme, a total of over £6.83 million (93.85 per cent.) has been allocated in grants, and £0.42 (6.15 per cent.) million has spent on management and administration, including operating the installer accreditation scheme and inspection regime, and the costs of marketing and promoting the programme.
§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department has taken to minimise the management and administrative costs of the Solar PV Major Demonstration Programme; and if she will make a statement.[109104]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 14 April 2003]: The Management Contract for the programme was competitively tendered and the bidder which offered the best level of service at most reasonable cost was selected. In addition, we have sought to keep the application process as simple as possible while ensuring proposals are treated fairly and the high quality of installations and service is maintained. A significant part of the costs goes on administering the installer accreditation scheme and on inspecting the installations. All marketing and promotion is closely controlled and we make use of the existing channels of the Management consortium.