§ 17. Mr. BurtTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many homes have been insulated by community insulation projects since 1982.
§ Mr. BaldryMore than 750,000 homes have been treated by the projects since their work began in 1982.
§ Mr. BurtI thank my hon. Friend for that reply and congratulate him and the Government on the good work that has been done through the scheme. May I bring to his attention the problems caused in certain areas by the change in benefit regulations? May I also seek his assurance that the work on the scheme will continue and that his Department will pursue that good work as far as it possibly can and encourage its growth and development? The scheme has assisted a number of homes in my constituency, and I should like its benefits to the rest of the country to continue and prosper in the years to come.
§ Mr. BaldryI thank my hon. Friend for his kind comments. We are keen to ensure, wherever possible, that 13 work undertaken by the community insulation projects is not constrained in the run-up to the new home energy efficiency scheme. That new scheme will have about £12 million available in its first half-year of operation, and I am confident that there will be a substantial increase in the rate at which the work is done.