HC Deb 15 December 1986 vol 107 cc763-4
9. Mr. Patrick Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the energy efficiency conference in Birmingham.

Mr. Peter Walker

The tenth national energy management conference and exhibition was an outstanding success, the largest event of its type ever held in this country, or, as far as I know, in western Europe.

Mr. Thompson

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, particularly in Energy Efficiency Year. Does he agree that it is particularly important now that homes, particularly the homes of the elderly, are well insulated and energy efficient? Will he join me in commending the work of the community insulation project, and will he speak to my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Employment to find out whether all local authorities have taken up all the moneys available to advance this worthwhile project?

Mr. Walker

There has been an enormous increase in these projects during the year. About 5,000 people who would otherwise have been unemployed have been working on the projects this year. By the end of the year, about 230,000 homes of elderly people and those on low incomes will have been insulated, and about 100,000 of those will have been done this year. I am glad to say that the number of groups being organised is being substantially increased.

Mr. Allen McKay

The Secretary of State has made a good statement about the insulation of homes. Will he talk to the Secretary of State for Social Services to ensure that the Bill he will be introducing does not stop these community projects?

Mr. Walker

I assure the hon. Gentleman that in my talks with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services I have found him keen and enthusiastic. I am sure that he will collaborate in every way.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

Is my right hon. Friend able to report that the local authorities were strongly lobbied at the Birmingham conference to set up their own energy cost efficiency departments? Can he give some guidance to elderly people who can be taken advantage of by some of the shoddy work that a few of the cowboy companies offer?

Mr. Walker

Yes, such people should seek advice. The local authorities' management advisory service has suggested that more than £100 million a year can be saved by applying the best management techniques to local authorities.

Mr. Rowlands

Despite the figures quoted by the Secretary of State, is he aware that 5 million dwellings have no loft insulation, and that 9 million households have no effective central heating? Do not the figures show the need for a more comprehensive and widespread energy efficiency programme than the one that we have?

Mr. Walker

With respect, the hon. Gentleman has the figures wrong. The figures given in an answer the other day related not to any loft insulation but to loft insulation to a particular depth. About 87 per cent. of homes have loft insulation.

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