§ Mr. Mulleyasked the Secretary of State For the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities setting out the findings of the research programme on better homes insulation, with particular reference to preventing and remedying dampness; and if he will provide additional funds in 1982–83 to enable local authorities to pursue systematically insulation in dwellings which they own.
§ Sir George YoungI am considering the best way to make the findings of the Department's better insulated house programme available. The block capital expenditure allocations for 1982–83 will permit local authorities an overall increase of some 3 per cent. over their previous year's activity and they are free to decide the priority they wish to give to insulation in dwellings which they own.
§ Mr. Mulleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further steps he proposes to take to implement his Department's better insulation homes research programme, with particular reference to remedying dampness as a contribution to energy saving; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungIn addition to providing evidence to support the higher standards of insulation under the revisions to the building regulations to be brought into force on 1 April this year, the results of the Department's better insulated house programme is being used to develop the Department's policies on heating and energy conservation.