HC Deb 16 February 1994 vol 237 cc940-1
11. Mr. Stephen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to encourage greater energy efficiency.

Mr. Atkins

My Department is taking forward a comprehensive range of measures to encourage greater energy efficiency. These are set out in the Government's response to the Select Committee's report on energy efficiency in buildings, which was published yesterday, and also in the United Kingdom's climate change programme, which was launched by the Prime Minister on 25 January.

Mr. Stephen

Is my hon. Friend aware that the doubling of resources for the home energy efficiency scheme announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the November Budget has been widely welcomed throughout the country, especially by the elderly and disabled? Will he ensure that the benefits of the scheme are made widely known throughout the country to those who may be eligible?

Mr. Atkins

I am grateful to my hon. Friend; he is right to draw attention to the fact that we are increasing the budget in that area, as in many others related to energy efficiency. I will certainly take to heart his strictures about ensuring that the public are even more aware of what is needed to improve energy efficiency.

Mr. George Howarth

Is it not time that the Minister admitted that all those documents and policies are long-gone pious hopes, short on realistic objectives? The Energy Conservation Bill, which represents a practical way of doing something about the problems, passed unamended through its Committee stage this morning. Will the Minister now assure the House that on Report he will not seek to weaken the important principle in clause 2—the duty to survey properties—by providing the alternative of a permissive principle, which would make the Bill a toothless tiger—or can we assume that that is his real objective?

Mr. Atkins

The hon. Gentleman was present this morning when the Standing Committee examined the matter at some length, and he will understand, as will the promoter of the Bill, the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), that there are issues that cause some concern, and which are the subject of some consideration. In due course, we shall consider what action to take in relation to them.

Mr. Robert B. Jones

May I generally welcome the Government's response to the report of the Select Committee on the Environment, and its positive tone, as well as the responses of OFFER—the Office of Electricity Regulation—and the Energy Saving Trust? But may I underline the fact that the EST clearly has problems in funding a very important programme that will be the key to fulfilling our obligations under the climate change convention? May I therefore urge my hon. Friend to redouble his efforts to bring together the EST and the regulators to ensure that a solution is found to the problem and the funds produced?

Mr. Atkins

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who will be interested to know that the regulators will meet officials from my Department tomorrow. I will certainly press the cause that he advocates.