§ Mr. Gerald Howarthasked the Secretary of state for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 4 March 1987, Official Report, column 602, why the savings made in his budget during 1986–87 are not expected for 1987–88; what criteria he uses for the slection of priorities; what assessment he has made of the implications for progress towards the Government's energy efficiency targets of the reduction in the budget for 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie Hamilton[pursuant to his reply, 6 April 1987, c.88]: The savings in the 1986–87 budget arose on fuel Votes as a result of engergy efficiency measures previously introduced. The fuel Votes have now been reduced to reflect the lower and more efficient consumption levels.
Energy efficiency measures are normally funded from works budgets and may at times have to give way to building projects which operationally are of greater urgency. Such building projects will increase energy efficiency on the defence estate over and above the measures for which funds have been specifically allocated, although the cost is not separately identifiable.
Within the Government's overall energy efficiency initiative the Ministry of Defence has set a target of a 25 per cent. reduction in usage of non-operational energy over the 5 year period 1986–87 to 1990–91. The reduction in the 1987–88 budget should not prejudice achievement of this target.