§ 6. Mr. Haynesasked the Secretary of State for Energy when he plans to brief local authority associations on the work of his energy efficiency office in Energy Efficiency Year.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Government appreciate the helpful part played by the local authority associations, in advising the energy efficiency office on relevant initiatives, and in promoting the benefits of effective energy management to their members. My officials keep in regular contact with representatives of local authorities and their associations on a range of activities.
§ Mr. HaynesI am not at all happy with that answer. When will the Minister pull his finger out? Local authorities can make a massive contribution to energy efficiency, yet here we are six months into Energy Efficiency Year and they are fiddling around while we burn energy inefficiently? Why does the Minister not wake up and get something done about it?
§ Mr. HuntI responded positively to the hon. Gentleman, but I remind him that a large number of major initiatives are proceeding at present and the evidence is that local authorities are responding well to the opportunities for energy savings, which were highlighted in particular by the Audit Commission, the local authority associations and many others.
§ Mr. Philip OppenheimIf the energy efficiency campaign is the success that everyone expects it to be, could this not lead to a reduction in the use of coal in power stations and hence an increase in coal stocks? Would not one answer to that problem he the extension of the grant of concessionary coal to the many thousands of miners who were made compulsorily redundant during the 1960s and who did not qualify for concessionary coal allowances, even though they contributed coal to coal pools when they were in work?
§ Mr. HuntAll the energy utilities have a great deal to expect from the public in terms of more efficient energy use. My hon. Friend asked about concessionary coal. I admire his perseverance in this matter, and we are carefully considering his further representations.
§ Mr. RowlandsHas the Minister seen the energy efficiency chart prepared not only by local authorities but by a large number of other organisations involved in energy efficiency? Will he consider adopting that chart as a sensible pragmatic approach to energy efficiency?
§ Mr. HuntMy right hon. Friend welcomed the constructive report by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, and much of its advice about energy management is echoed in the Audit Commission report, which cited the AMA report as a valuable reference source. I understand that my Department's energy 746 efficiency office has agreed to a meeting to discuss progress, and I look forward to further progress being made.