§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many married quarters have electricity as their principal or sole means of heating; what percentage of the total this represents; how many of the electrically-heated quarters lack at least 2 in. of roof insulation; and what percentage this represents of electrically-heated homes.
§ Dr. Gilbert:22,326 Service married quarters are equipped with night storage heaters and a few with other forms of electric heating. This represents about 25 per cent. of the total holding. An interim programme to improve insulation in married quarters built or purchased prior to 1970 and for which there was a long-term requirement was set in hand in March 1977—quarters built since 1970 already had 100 mm roof insulation. Under this programme roof insulation would be increased to a minimum of 75 mm—subsequently 80 mm—in quarters currently having less than 50 mm. In December 1977 the programme was extended to provide infilling of cavity walls where practicable, draught-proofing and bringing roof insulation up to 100 mm thickness in those quarters where it is below 75 mm. This programme is well under way and is expected to be completed within two years. Priority is being given to quarters heated by electricity. Precise figures of the number of quarters not provided at this moment with roof insulation are not available.