HC Deb 05 February 1979 vol 962 cc33-4W
Mr. Sainsbury

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what fresh initiatives for conservation of energy he is planning for 1979.

Dr. John Cunningham

Our main objective for 1979 is to consolidate the wide range of measures already in hand.

23. Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are his Department's latest estimates of the potential energy savings which could be made by the year 2000 in the domestic, commercial, industrial and transport sectors, respectively on the basis of present policies.

Dr. John Cunningham

It is extremely difficult to estimate what potential energy savings could be made by the year 2000. The energy demand projections in the Green Paper on energy policy include an allowance of about 23 per cent. in heat supplied by the end of the century to cover the effects of higher energy prices and Government measures, including their impact on consumer reactions and improvements in appliance design. This allowance is additional to normal technological progress.