Conservation (Hansard, 30 June 1975)

§ 1. Mr. Rost
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the Government's energy conservation programme, specifying long-term targets and objectives.

§ 29. Mr. Lane
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in the energy-saving campaign; and what further steps he is taking.

§ 36. Mr. Cryer
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the success of the energy-saving campaign; and if he will make a statement.

§ The Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Alex Eadie)
There is evidence that substantial savings are being made in many areas, and that progress is being made in changing attitudes towards the use of energy. There is, however, a great deal more that consumers can economically do to save energy, and the objective of the Government's ongoing energy conservation campaign is to seek to realise these savings.

§ Mr. Rost
I acknowledge that the limited success of the advertising campaign is already wearing off, but is not it really time that the Government put forward their longer-term strategy for energy conservation, setting out specific targets? In particular, would not it make better sense, instead of spending vast sums of taxpayers' money on nationalising the oil interests in the North Sea, to reallocate some of those funds to productive energy conservation measures?

§ Mr. Eadie
The hon. Gentleman made a very constructive contribution in a debate in this House on energy conservation. I rather regret that he is not so constructive in his questioning, when he brings in other matters in relation to energy conservation. I refute his suggestion that the energy conservation campaign is starting to lose steam and that there are no results from it. There are many individual case histories showing that industrial firms, local authorities, and so on, are taking energy savings very seriously and are achieving good results.
As to the long-term position, my right hon. Friend will look forward to receiving recommendations shortly from the Conservation Advisory Council, and I know that he is awaiting with interest the report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology, of which the hon. Gentleman is well aware.

§ Mr. Lane
As definite targets are always the most effective way of achieving savings, will the Minister tell us what specific targets he has set, first for central Government and, secondly, for local government? If he has not set definite targets, is not it time that he did?

§ Mr. Eadie
Those questions have already been answered in the House, but, if I may refresh the hon. Gentleman's memory, we have said that if a 10 per cent. saving were achieved, it would amount to about £700 million. We have also said that in the long term about £10 million is being spent by Government Departments and the nationalised industries on energy saving research. Details are contained in recent evidence to the Select Committee on Science and Technology.

§ Mr. Ward
In view of the enormous saving of energy equivalent which would come from the greater use of diesel engines, will my hon. Friend indicate whether he is trying to speed up the discussions with the automotive industry, on which he has been engaged for some time, so that those who have to make investment decisions about diesel engine production can get on with that job?

§ Mr. Eadie
From time to time we have said that we are not proud concerning help on any energy conservation measures, but, dealing with my hon. Friend's question, we shall await the result of any 995 representation with a great deal of interest.

§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin
Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that home insulation is one of the most effective ways of saving energy? Is he further aware that his Department's efforts to promote home insultation are being frustrated by an obstructive attitude on the part of the Department of the Environment? Will he try to sort that out, bearing in mind that the cavity wall insulation industry is now running at about 30 per cent. of its maximum capacity?

§ Mr. Eadie
The right hon. Gentleman put two questions. First, as to the Government's trying to frustrate any insulation measures, I am afraid that this is not borne out by the facts. I am advised by the industry concerned with insulation that it is overburdened with orders.
As for cavity wall insulation, the right hon. Gentleman is aware that we have been advising that this is work for experts. It is, of course, the most costly of all measures of insulation but we have pointed out to people concerned that in 10 years' time they can have a return for any investment they make in this respect.