§ 1. Mr. Hanleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what initiatives have been taken by his Department to encourage the conservation of energy in public buildings.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Energy (Mr. Alick Buchanan-Smith)A major objective of the energy efficiency campaign is to promote the better use of fuel in industrial, commercial and public buildings. The public sector, along with industry and commerce, has been encouraged to take advantage of the new energy efficiency survey scheme, the demonstration project scheme and the information and advice provided by the Energy Efficiency Office.
§ Mr. HanleyI am encouraged by that reply. How are industrial users of energy comparing with public sector users, particularly as there is now a need to conserve energy throughout the country?
Mr. Buchan-SmithThe main energy efficiency campaign was launched only at the end of last year. I am glad to say that the response at the breakfasts publicising the campaign throughout the country was extremely encouraging. All the evidence from the follow-up programme indicates a high take-up.
§ Mr. FreudWhy does the Minister think that people who work in public buildings should worry about energy conservation when MPs, as a result of Friday's payroll vote, are being given cash incentives to use energy-inefficient vehicles? Does he agree that it is now self-financing to sell a second-hand Mini and to buy a second-hand Rolls- Royce?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The question relates to public buildings.
§ Mr. FormanI welcome my right hon. Friend's initiative. Will he look again at the terms of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 to see whether it is possible to reduce both the maximum and minimum temperatures stipulated in that Act?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that suggestion. I shall examine it with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, who has responsibility for these matters.