§ Lord KENNETasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the rateable value of property is raised when insulation, double glazing, and other energy-saving improvements are installed, and, if so, whether the resultant tax on energy conservation accords with Government policy.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Lord Bellwin)Insulation measures and double glazing would not normally have more than a minimal effect on the rateable value of a domestic property. Even a number of energy-saving measures, installed in the same property, is unlikely to increase the gross rental value of the property by more than £30 and therefore, by virtue of Section 21 of the Local Government Act 1974, will usually be left out of account for rating purposes until the next general revaluation.