§ 2. Mr. Patrick Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the Association for the Conservation of Energy; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. David Hunt)My right hon. Friend and I have had a number of discussions with the chairman of the Association for the Conservation of Energy and much appreciate the association's contribution to Energy Efficiency Year.
§ Mr. ThompsonI am pleased that my hon. Friend has had regular discussions with the chairman in Energy Efficiency Year. Bearing in mind the £400 million that has been spent by the Government on helping people with their fuel costs, will he take urgent steps to find methods by which homes up and down the country can be insulated to higher standards so that we can improve warmth and cut costs in the future?
§ Mr. HuntI agree with my hon. Friend that it is important to do just that. That is why my right hon. Friend has substantially increased the number of voluntary insulation projects, which have now insulated over 150,000 homes, especially those of the elderly and disabled.
§ Mr. WallaceHave the Secretary of State and the Minister had the opportunity to discuss with the Association for the Conservation of Energy the success of the schemes in Northern Ireland, where there is a 30 per cent. grant for companies investing in energy efficiency measures? Has he had any representations about extending that scheme to other parts of the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. HuntI had an opportunity of talking to the ACE seminar on insulation in Portsmouth last Tuesday, but the matter was not raised with me on that occasion. However, I shall look into it further.
§ Mr. Gerald HowarthIs my hon. Friend aware that such has been the success of the Association for the Conservation of Energy that it has been invited by the Government of Canada to see whether it is possible to institute such a scheme in that country?
§ Mr. HuntMy hon. Friend is right to stress the importance of ACE. The association and its members have been extremely enthusiastic in supporting Energy Efficiency Year.
§ Mr. RowlandsIs not the association also the strongest advocate of placing specific duties on the gas and electricity industries in relation to energy conservation? Why have the Government repeatedly refused to consider that constructive and sensible set of proposals?
§ Mr. HuntThe hon. Gentleman has overlooked the fact that, after privatisation, the independent regulator—the Director General of Gas Supply—will have a duty to promote the efficient use of gas.