§ Mr. Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations exist relating to the insulation of roofs with fibreglass for energy conservation purposes; what thickness of fibreglass is stipulated; whether sufficient supplies of such thicknesses are available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KaufmanMinimum standards of thermal insulation for roofs of dwellings are specified in building regulations. Regulations requiring thermal insulation of factory roofs have been made under the Thermal Insulation (Industrial Buildings) Act 1957, which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy. The building regulation requirements are in the interests of health; consideration is being given to their extension in the interests of energy conservation, under the powers in Part III of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
96WInsulation with fibreglass is only one of the ways deemed to satisfy the mandatory standard, and the thicknesses specified, which vary according to the form of construction, are the minimum thicknesses necessary. I am assured that adequate supplies of fibreglass meeting these requirements are available.