§ 2.56 p.m.
§ Viscount HanworthMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose to introduce a major programme to provide finance for the insulation of existing housing stock, in view of their agreement on the cost-effectiveness of such action (H.L. Debates 16th March, col. 1307).
§ Baroness HooperMy Lords, the Government plan to continue their present policy of providing financial assistance for some insulation measures and targeting this on those most in need. Housing authorities can determine their own priorities for insulation within the financial resources for housing available to them.
§ Viscount HanworthMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. I take it that there is no major programme for the insulation of existing housing stock. Does the noble Baroness agree that if there were such a programme it might well save us another power station in the future? As the Government have already said, insulation is highly cost-effective. Therefore why do they not promote it?
§ Baroness HooperMy Lords, we welcome the effects of home insulation. Indeed, the take-up under the existing scheme is very satisfactory. Results from the survey carried out by Audits of Great Britain indicate that only 13 per cent. of private dwellings with loft spaces now have no insulation. Our aim is now to target help on those who most need it—that is, those on housing benefit and supplementary benefit—and it is therefore much more sensible to increase the amount available to those in real need rather than pay out a smaller amount to many who could afford it.
§ Lord Dean of BeswickMy Lords, does not the Minister agree, bearing in mind that our future energy resources will consist for the foreseeable future of well over 50 per cent. from finite resources, that it makes sense to preserve and harness those resources on an ever-increasing scale? Taking that into account, will the Minister plead with the Secretary of State to reverse the present policy of making grants available to a diminishing number of people—not classes, but numbers—and implement a substantially expanding programme which will be to the benefit of the nation and to all concerned?
§ Baroness HooperMy Lords, the new targets for the scheme are intended to help more people at a lower level. The calculations which have been undertaken lead us to believe that this will increase substantially the number of homes with insulation. As the noble Lord knows, there are three different departments involved in these schemes. In terms of energy efficiency and the projects brought forward during that period, the Department of Energy has played, and is playing, a vital role.
§ Lord Dean of BeswickMy Lords, the Minister must be aware that this Question is only a rehash of a similar Question which I tabled some weeks ago. The figures that the Government give of grants to an increasing number of people is strongly challenged and resisted by people involved in the industry. They say that when the Government's present proposals are implemented there will be a considerable reduction in the number of households that can apply for the grant. I do not believe that the people involved in the industry are wrong. The Government would do well to look once again at the policies they intend to pursue.
§ Baroness HooperMy Lords, I am only too well aware that we have had previous Questions, and indeed a full debate, on the topic. I can only go on the figures that are available to the Government, which we believe are correct.