§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had about providing incentives by grants or tax relief to householders for investment which reduces the thermal requirements of a building.
§ Dr. John CunninghamThe Government are considering how to provide and encourage energy conservation measures within the existing private housing stock as part of the overall energy conservation programme. Consultations will take place as and when necessary.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had about providing incentives for expenditure on solar installations for hot water, heat pumps, heat recovery from ventilation and low-grade waste heat recovery, where such investment reduces thermal requirement of a building.
§ Dr. John CunninghamThe Department has frequent consultations with parties interested in these matters on proposals for research, development and demonstration projects. In addition the Energy Technology Support Unit at Harwell held a workshop on heat pumps at Oxford over the period 30th June 1976 to 2nd July 1976, to which interested parties were invited. A report of that workshop was published in March 1977 and I have arranged for a copy to be place in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy, what consultations he has had about removing the existing disincentive to energy conservation arising from liability to increased rate assessment for householders who improve the value of property by investing in thermal insulation and other fuel saving projects.
§ Dr. John CunninghamOfficials of this Department have discussed the general question of rates in relation to domestic energy conservation measures with officials of the Department of the Environment, the Scottish Office and the Northern Ireland Office, who have responsibility for rating questions in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern 839W Ireland respectively. There have also been discussions with the Inland Revenue valuation office.