§ 2. Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the Glass and Glazing Federation for the purpose of discussing problems of energy conservation.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Energy (Mr. Hamish Gray)I have not met the federation. However, my Department maintains contacts with officers of the federation.
§ Mr. SpriggsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all sectors of the glass industry, including the flat glass and the glass fibre sectors, have invested many millions of pounds each year in their respective areas and are now concerned about what the Government will do about introducing a comprehensive conservation policy? Will he make a statement about it and take the earliest opportunity to meet the federation in each sector?
§ Mr. GrayIf the federation requests a meeting I shall, of course, consider meeting its representatives. No such request has so far been received. Government incentives for domestic energy conservation are concentrated on the most cost-effective measures. I estimate that between £400 million and £500 million was invested in domestic double glazing during 1981.
§ Mr. HannamHow are the Rayner investigations into conservation policies proceeding? Would it not be better if all the Government's insulation and conservation policies were brought together under the roof of the Department of Energy?
§ Mr. GrayThe Government will give due consideration to the Rayner examination. It will cover energy conservation in a number of Government Departments. We shall pay careful attention to the recommendations that appear in the report, and we shall make our consideration of the report available to the House in due course.