§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many voluntary home insulation projects are known to his Department; and what is his estimate of the number of homes being insulated for elderly or disabled people through such agencies.
§ Mr. MellorI am aware of the following voluntary home insulation projects being assisted in various ways through Government agencies:
No. of Projects Estimated No. of dwellings to be insulated a Year Department of Energy "Seedcorn" grant applications 18 5,500 Project grant applications (if additional) 1 300 Manpower Service Commission Community Enterprise Programme—schemes underway or approved but yet to start *49 53,000 Department of the Environment Urban Programme †5 N/A * In addition under the Youth Opportunities Programme a small number of schemes have included home insulation work, mainly involving draught proofing, as one of a number of activities. A number of the schemes assisted by the Department of Energy are also likely to be assisted by the MSC but cannot be separately identified at this stage. † Four of these projects are also funded by the Manpower Services Commission and are included in their figures. I am aware of a further four projects being undertaken by voluntary groups without Government assistance. The main purpose of all these schemes is to give help to the elderly, the disabled and other disadvantaged.