HC Deb 04 July 1977 vol 934 cc859-61
4. Mr. Macfarlane

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what contacts his Department has had with the Carter Administration on the subject of energy savings.

The Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Dr. John A. Cunningham)

As the House knows, my right hon. Friend visited the United States from 3rd to 6th April for discussions and met Dr. Schlesinger and others. Officials of my Department have frequent meetings with United States officials on many aspects of energy policy, including energy savings.

Mr. Macfarlane

Following the meetings which the right hon. Gentleman had with United States energy officials, may I ask the Under-Secretary to urge upon his right hon. Friend the need to introduce a co-ordinated energy-saving strategy in the United Kingdom, not identical with but similar to that which has been introduced in the United States, bearing in mind that all that this country has had so far is a rather disgraceful and expensive "Save it" campaign?

Dr. Cunningham

The hon. Gentleman should not confuse President Carter's speech with a policy. We already have a co-ordinated policy in the United Kingdom and, far from what the hon. Gentleman says about a wasteful "Save it" campaign, we have a wide range of measures, as he well knows, in industry and in the domestic sector. My right hon. Friend made clear in the House a few weeks ago that we are currently reviewing our energy conservation policy with a view to improving that where possible.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the United States grants and loans are specifically provided for domestic premises, with the aim of bringing 90 per cent. of American homes up to the necessary insulation standards? Is he further aware that one of the means by which this is being done is through the electricity companies? Will he initiate discussions with our own electricity authorities with a view to operating a similar system, whereby improvements are carried out by the electricity authorities and recouped later by payments from the consumer?

Dr. Cunningham

I am aware of the points to which the hon. Member refers and of various other schemes in other countries. We are looking at these with great interest. I am currently engaged in a round of discussions with the nationalised industries and the oil industry in the private sector to see how best we can co-ordinate our efforts on a voluntary basis to deal with conservation measures.

Mr. Forman

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that perhaps the best comment so far on the Government's conservation programme came from his right hon. Friend the Minister of State when replying to a debate a little while ago? Is he aware that it was obvious from his right hon. Friend's remarks that he and the Department feel contrite and apologetic about the lack of success that has been achieved so far? Would not this explain the need to look at the programme again?

Dr. Cunningham

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State can answer for himself. If the hon. Gentleman is trying to suggest that the remarks to which he refers mean that we are not well aware of the need for conservation and the need to strengthen our policies whenever possible, he is mistaken. From the energy elasticities report, Energy Paper 17, it was concluded that we saved about 6 per cent. of our primary energy requirements. That is a fairly good measure of success, contrary to what the hon. Gentleman suggests.