§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is his Department's budget in the current year, and next year, for the provision of the financial assistance for domestic thermal insulation, under existing schemes referred to by the Under-Secretary of State,Official Report, 14th November, column 8;
(2) further to the reply by the Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South-East,Official Report, 14th November, column 8, if he will now list the considerable financial assistance already available for domestic thermal insulation.
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§ Mr. EadieGovernment support for energy conservation is provided by all the relevant Departments. The labour costs of roof insulation projects which meet the criteria of the job creation programme may be met from funds available to the Manpower Services Commission. Additionally, for local authorities using the job creation programme, the Department of Energy has negotiated with the manufacturers a bulk discount on loft insulation materials. In England and Wales housing subsidy administered by the Department of the Environment is available to local authorities in respect of insulation installed as part of general house improvement works to local authority dwellings or for elderly or disabled local authority tenants. Grant aid towards the cost of insulation is also available to elderly or disabled private owners who are unable to meet the total costs. In Scotland financial assistance for the roof insulation of local authority housing is generally covered by the block grant system. In the private sector house improvement grants can be given for the installation of loft insulation where the occupant is elderly or disabled and where there might otherwise be difficulty in meeting the cost. The Supplementary Benefits Commission can make single lump-sum discretionary payments to those already receiving benefit for small items such as simple draught proofing. Financial provision for these arrangements is in the budget of the Departments concerned.
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INCENTIVES TO FIT EXISTING BUILDINGS WITH THERMAL INSULATION Loans/Grants Taxation Remarks Belgium … Up to 25 per cent. grants for insulation in dwellings, depending on income. — — Denmark … 25 per cent. grants for insulating residential buildings. — — Eire … General reconstruction grants available; two thirds cost, up to a maximum of £400. — — France … Subsidies available for thermal improvement of houses built prior to 1948. Tax credits for insulation in main residences. Wider opportunities for taxable income deductions planned. Germany … Proposed 20 per cent. grant for insulation/modernisation for projects between DM4,000 and DM12,000. Tax allowances of 10 per cent. for pre-1957 buildings. — Italy … — — Permits for renovation only issued when insulation work included. Netherlands … 33⅓ per cent. subsidy on housing improvements. — —
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a comparative table of EEC countries indicating for each the proportion of buildings which are regarded as having satisfactory standards of thermal insulation, by the criteria laid down in the recommendations by the Commission.
§ Dr. John A. CunninghamNo specific criteria for satisfactory standards of thermal insulation have been incorporated in a Commission recommendation. The information so far provided by EEC countries is based on differing methods and assumptions, and does not provide a basis for valid comparisons. Further work is in progress in the EEC on the establishment of common standards of measurement.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will detail schemes proposed or operational which offer financial assistance for domestic thermal insulation in the United Kingdom and in each of the other EEC countries, specifying what progress each country is making towards implementing the recommendations by the Commission on a programme for improved insulation standards.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MahonThe United Kingdom position is covered in the replies given today by my hon. Friend to previous Questions. The latest information available on schemes proposed or operational which offer financial assistance for domestic thermal insulation in EEC countries is as follows:
565WNo information is available on Luxembourg.
The Commission's proposal for a directive on the modernisation of existing buildings has not yet been adopted by the Council of Ministers.