§ Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ When they propose to introduce new regulations to improve energy conservation in buildings in view of the importance of such measures in relation to problems of global warming and the greenhouse effect.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment(The Earl of Caithness)My Lords, a consultation paper setting out proposals to amend the energy conservation requirements in the Building Regulations 1985 was issued last summer. The responses to this consultation paper are still being considered.
§ Lord HyltonMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply. Is it not the case that insulation standards in Britain are by far the lowest in the whole of Europe? Is it not also true that the department intended to bring in new building regulations in January 1988? Will the noble Earl please accelerate that process?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I will accelerate it as fast as I am convinced that what we propose is the correct answer. As I am sure the noble Lord will be aware, it is better to wait for a while to make sure that we are correct than to hurry into a decision.
§ Lord Graham of EdmontonMy Lords, if the Government are keen to promote energy conservation why have they slashed the budget for the energy efficiency office at the Department of Energy? Will the Minister confirm that the Government's budget for 1989–90 will be £ 15 million and for 1991 just £ 12 million? That compares with a budget of £ 20 million for 1987–88. How does the drop of 50 per cent. in funding energy conservation and promotion square with the Prime Minister's claims that Britain will become the most energy-efficient nation in Europe by 1990?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the noble Lord asks a question which has been answered recently by my noble friend Lady Hooper.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, if building regulations are intended to improve energy use by up to 20 per cent., why is it that the construction industry in this country finds it so difficult to match the activities of similar industries in Europe?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the difficulty we have in this country, which other countries in Europe do not have, is of course the climate. One has to be certain that the technical risks associated with our proposals, such as increased condensation or rain penetration, do not counteract the benefits that could be derived from implementing the proposals for revised building standards, because in that case one only requires more energy for the problems created.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, is the noble Earl saying that they do not have climates in Europe?
The Earl of CaithnessNo, my Lords, that is not the point. We have a very different climate from other countries in Europe.
§ Lord MoyneMy Lords, is there not a conflict between insulating houses to keep people warm and opening the windows to keep people healthy? Can that not best be resolved by urging people to wear more clothes and not to live in their shirtsleeves in hothouses as they do across the Atlantic?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, we are talking about building regulations for new houses, a very small proportion of the total housing market and representing a very small proportion of what can be saved by energy efficiency.
§ Viscount HanworthMy Lords, does the noble Earl not agree that insulation of floors is very important? One reason is that if floors are not insulated it takes much longer to warm up rooms. It is not satisfactory to have insulation of floors as an alternative; that, I believe, is the case in present building regulations.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, provided it does not cause additional problems that have to be counteracted and remedied at a later stage at great expense with more use of energy, I agree with the noble Viscount.
§ Lord HyltonMy Lords, will the noble Earl study the experience of experimental houses in Milton Keynes, and elsewhere, which I believe show considerable benefits not only to the developer but also to the occupier?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the department and I are very well aware of the houses that have been built in Milton Keynes. Of course, we look to any ways whereby energy efficiency can be improved. However, I repeat that we must be certain that additional problems are not caused.
§ Lord Graham of EdmontonMy Lords, will the Minister now tell the House how it is possible to promote energy efficiency if the office that has been created by the Department of Energy to do that is having its budget slashed year after year?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the Question on the Order Paper relates to new building regulations.
§ Lord Graham of EdmontonMy Lords, the noble Earl cannot answer my question.