§ 3.10 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT HANWORTHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
183 The Question was as follows
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the economic advantages and the important saving in fuel which result from improved standards of house insulation, they will issue a circular to local authorities instructing them to insulate roofs of new houses to a minimum U value of 0.10, at which figure fuel savings may be expected to balance the extra cost in less than two years.
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the Government are actively reviewing the economic and technical arguments in relation to the level of thermal insulation for new dwellings. In the light of this review, my right honourable friend the Minister for Housing and Construction will consider what advice needs to be given to local authorities and other house-builders on this subject.
§ VISCOUNT HANWORTHMy Lords, I should like to thank the Minister for what I feel, if I may say so, is a very satisfactory Answer. I would ask him one supplementary question, and that is whether he is aware of the fact that President Nixon has instructed the Minister in charge of federal housing to reduce heat losses by 30 per cent. in federal houses, and 40 per cent, in apartments?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, I was aware of part of what the noble Viscount has said. Of course, what is good in one country is not necessarily good in another, because climatic conditions vary. However, my right honourable friend will be taking all these matters into account.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, does not the noble Lord think that this proposal would put up the price of house building, and does he not agree that the Government have put up the price of house building quite sufficiently already?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the first part of the noble Lord's question really relates to my noble friend's point that the costs might be offset by the fuel saved. On the other part, I will not be drawn.