§ Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has appointed an energy manager to supervise energy conservation in his departmental premises.
§ Sir George YoungI have been asked to reply as energy conservation in the Government Civil Estate is primarily the responsibility of the Property Services Agency.
In 1972–73 officers having specific responsibility for energy conservation in Government accommodation were 38W appointed within the agency's territorial organisation in Scotland, Wales and each of the eight English regions. As the work has developed, additional staff resources have been made available. Co-ordination and technical advice is provided by a specialist energy conservation group at the agency's Croydon headquarters.
As a result of the work undertaken by the agency, and the co-operation of the Departments concerned, the saving in energy expenditure in the Government Civil Estate in 1982–83 is estimated at 46 per cent. compared to 1972–73. The search for further improvements in the energy efficiency of buildings occupied by Government Departments remains an important part of the agency's work and they have set a target to increase savings to a level equivalent to over 50 per cent. of the expenditure in 1972–73 by April 1985.
Jointly with MOD, the agency exercises a similar responsibility in respect of a substantial proportion of the Defence Estate where significant savings have also been achieved.
Other Departments including the Home Office and Departments in Northern Ireland have separate responsibility for parts of the Government Estate; additional energy managers have been appointed by the Departments concerned.