§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress his Department has made in the energy auditing of industry.
§ Dr. John A. CunninghamMy Department and the Department of Industry have been carrying out a series of energy audits of selected energy-intensive industrial processes. These studies are conducted by my Department's Energy Technology Support Unit at Harwell and the Department of Industry's Energy Unit at the National Physical Laboratory. Individual research associations and energy consultants are also involved. The work is carried out under the auspices of a joint technical steering group including representatives of the two Departments and the CBI. Its aim is to establish how much energy is being absorbed in manufacturing processes, in products and in the materials and components from which the products are formed, and reveals opportunities for Government funded by R and D projects aimed at lowering energy consumption. The first Energy Audit Report is being published today and copies are being placed in the Library of the House. This report deals with the iron casting industry, in which50W the total energy savings possible within 15 to 20 years are considered to be worth at least £15 million a year at present energy prices. Further reports will be issued as the studies are completed.