§ 2. Mr. KnapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what level of grant he has approved for neighbourhood energy action and energy action Scotland in 1988–89.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Energy (Mr. Peter Morrison)My Department's grant to neighbourhood energy action will be £392,000 and to energy action Scotland £68,000.
§ Mr. KnapmanI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he confirm that those figures represent an increase, and will he tell us what part the private sector plays in those projects?
§ Mr. MorrisonI confirm that those figures are an increase. Last year we paid £341,000 to neighbourhood energy action and £57,000 to energy action Scotland, so 3 there are increases of about 15 and 19 per cent. respectively. The private sector plays a part, but I have made it clear that I hope that next year the two bodies will be able to encourage the private sector to play a substantially increased part.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorThe Minister may be aware that, under the new employment training programme, there is worry that funding will not be sufficient for energy projects and that approved training organisations will not be keen to keep them going? Will he liaise with officials at the Department of Employment about that, and has he any helpful advice to offer for those projects?
§ Mr. MorrisonI appreciate, as does the hon. Gentleman, that negotiations must take place as a result of the change, but I am assured that the Manpower Services Commission is keen to ensure that those projects are able to continue.