§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Energy, in the overall consideration of energy policy, what relative importance he attaches to the promotion of energy conservation, and the achievement of the financial targets of the nationalised energy industries through increased energy consumption.
§ Mr. MellorI attach great importance to both energy conservation and the achievement of the financial targets of the nationalised energy industries. In agreeing financial targets with the industries, I do, of course, take account of sales and revenue projections, which reflect the impact of conservation. I would certainly not encourage wasteful use of energy as a way of meeting a financial target. Indeed, I trust that the industries will continue to promote energy conservation by their customers. At the same time the Government are seeking to ensure, through a variety of means, that the industries' costs are reduced, in order to improve their efficiency.