HC Deb 13 June 1978 vol 951 cc391-2W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about the scheme to promote energy saving in industry and commerce which was mentioned by the Chancellor in his Budget Statement.

Present Levels Revised Levels
Grant Loan Total Grant Loan Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
New house 3,100 4,200 7,300 4,000 5,500 9,500
House improvement 750 2,200 2,950 750 4,000 4,750
Farm building (erection or improvement) 1,000 1,000 2,000 1,750 1,750 3,500

Mr. Varley

My Department is today announcing the details of a new energy conservation scheme under which grants will be made available to industry and commerce, throughout the United Kingdom, for improving their heating plant and insulation of premises.

Under Section 8 of the Industry Act 1972, the Government have set aside £25 million for the scheme, which will be selective and will run for two years. Grants of up to 25 per cent. will be offered for these energy-saving measures. With the attractive terms being offered, it is hoped to encourage a wide response and a consequent overall saving in energy worth many time the amount of our investment in the longer term.

Full details of the scheme are now available from my Department, and an extensive national publicity campaign, due to start almost immediately, will give the necessary guidance on how to obtain information about the scheme.

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