§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that the recent concessions he has made with regard to building byelaws and the filling of cavity walls with insulation will not benefit the 11 million dwellings in the country which do not have cavity walls; and whether he will arrange for additional extensive research and development with regard to the insulation of solid walls by other means.
§ Mr. FreesonI attach great importance to the development of a cost-effective method of improving the thermal insulation of existing solid walls. If this could be achieved it would make an important contribution to the more efficient use of energy in buildings. The Building Research Establishment and other organisations are engaged in research on the matter, but so far no economical solution has emerged.