HC Deb 19 January 1994 vol 235 cc889-90
13. Mr. Thomason

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he plans to take energy efficiency forward.

Mr. Atkins

The promotion of energy efficiency to reduce carbon dioxide emissions remains a key Government priority, as demonstrated by the further increases in the Energy Efficiency Office's budget for 1994–95 to over £100 million. Energy efficiency measures will play a significant part in the United Kingdom's climate change programme which will be published later this month.

Mr. Thomason

When undertaking their recent inquiry into energy efficiency, some members of the Select Committee noted widely differing standards of energy efficiency among local authorities. Will my hon. Friend endeavour to encourage local government to pursue energy-efficient schemes as widely as possible?

Mr. Atkins

My hon. Friend, with his great experience of local government, is right to pick on this area as one which can be developed even faster. Certainly, my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Planning and I are prepared to spend as much time as necessary encouraging local authorities to recognise that their expenditure and, hence, their costs to local charge and taxpayers, can be reduced by energy efficiency.

Madam Speaker

Time is up.