HC Deb 10 March 1983 vol 38 cc477-8W
Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the energy conservation measures presently being undertaken by the Government.

Mr. Gray

The Government's energy conservation policy relies primarily on the economic pricing of fuels, supported by a comprehensive programme of information and advice—including research and demonstration—and encouragement. The main measures of this programme are as follows:

  1. (i) the energy conservation demonstration projects scheme
  2. (ii) research and development projects
  3. (iii) monitoring and target setting schemes
  4. (iv) the energy survey scheme
  5. (v) annual energy manager's conference
  6. (vi) publication of monthly newspaper "Energy Management"
  7. (vii) publication of degree day figures
  8. (viii) energy audit studies
  9. (ix) statutory maximum heating limit for non-domestic buildings
  10. (x) a 100 per cent. first year tax allowance against the capital cost of insulating industrial buildings
  11. (xi) building regulations setting standards of energy efficiency for buildings
  12. (xii) homes insulation scheme
  13. (xiii) supplementary benefits for hot water cylinder jackets and simple draughtproofing measures
  14. (xiv) feasibility study of combined power generation and district heating—CHP/DH
  15. (xv) home energy audits
  16. (xvi) guidance notes for installers of domestic central heating systems
  17. (xvii) seedcorn and project grants for community insulation projects
  18. (xviii) fuel consumption testing and labelling

Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether any changes have been made in the energy conservation measures initiated by the Government.

Mr. Gray

The Government's energy conservation programme is kept under continuous review and adapted as necessary. Changes include the following:

Energy conservation demonstration products scheme A new unit, the building research energy conservation support unit—BRECSU—was established in April 1982 to concentrate on managing energy conservation demonstration projects in domestic buildings and to encourage more demonstration projects relating to buildings. In addition expenditure on the demonstration projects scheme for 1982–83 will be double that of 1981–82.

Building Regulations

Amendments to these regulations

  1. (a) require the provision of appropriate controls when new heating plant is installed in both new and existing non-domestic buildings,
  2. (b) improve minimum standards of insulation for new dwellings and
  3. (c) require pipes, ducts and storage vessels in new buildings to be insulated,
with effect from 1 April 1982.

Heating Limit The maximum heating limit for non-domestic buildings was reduced by 1 deg. C to 19 deg. C with effect from 1 October 1980.

Homes Insulation Scheme Grants of 66 per cent., up to a maximum of £65, were available for the insulation of lofts and pipe and tank lagging. A higher rate of grant of 90 per cent., up to a maximum of £90, was introduced in August 1980 for the elderly on low incomes. From 31 December 1981 this higher rate has also been available to the severely disabled on low incomes. The 66 per cent. grant has been increased to a maximum of £69—from £65—and the 90 per cent. grant to £95—from £90—with effect from 1 May 1982. The budget allocation for grants in 1982–83 has been increased to £31.1 million.

Community Insulation Projects In 1981 the Government introduced a scheme of grant aid to voluntary organisations to help establish community insulation projects. Because of the success of the scheme, expenditure for 1982–83 was doubled to £201,500.

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