Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

HC Deb 25 March 1991 vol 188 cc591-2

3. Mr. French

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the home energy efficiency scheme.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory)

During the first two months some 16,000 direct applications for grant were received by the administering agency. In a full year, £26 million will be available under the scheme for assistance to low-income households.

Mr. French

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the excellent progress that the scheme is making and especially on the way in which it encourages voluntary groups to assist elderly people. However, will he try to ensure that the scheme is publicised more widely among the general public, because, although small, it is a very good illustration of the way in which Conservative policies ensure that talking about caring for the elderly and about energy conservation are translated into positive action?

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his remarks. Initial interest in the scheme has been high, suggesting that the publicity associated with its launch in January achieved the desired effect. It would be helpful, however, if hon. Members of all parties would help to publicise the scheme locally and would point out to low-income households and groups that substantial grants are available to help with better insulation and to provide good draughtproofing. The scheme also includes energy efficiency advice.

Mr. Simon Hughes

I, too, welcome the scheme. However, I deduce from the Minister's answer that it is cash-limited. I agree that we should all join in publicising the scheme, but does he accept that, if it is cash-limited, not all legitimate applications will be granted? If the scheme is really to be a success, would not it be better for it not to be cash-limited?

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The sum allocated to the scheme is generous. I can confirm that there is no danger of the scheme running out of cash in the near or foreseeable future.

Mr. Morgan

I welcome the question of the hon. Member for Gloucester (Mr. French), which has enabled both him and me to point out to the Minister the Government's hypocrisy in claiming that they are committed to the scheme. Their advertising budget has been spent almost entirely on the privatisation of the electricity distribution and generating companies when it should have been spent on a scheme such as this. Given the sky-rocketing increase in domestic electricity prices this coming year and in the past two years, is not the best investment that any family can make insulation to combat high electricity prices? But insulation is something which the Government have completely neglected.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

I reject utterly the hon. Gentleman's remarks. The home energy efficiency scheme has been well publicised and the administering agency in Newcastle has not asked us to provide further advertising or expenditure to promote the scheme as yet. However, we shall monitor the position in the light of further developments.