HC Deb 20 December 1989 vol 164 cc306-7W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply of 4 December,Official Report, column 30, to the hon. Member for Devon, North (Mr. Speller), what assessment has he made of the reasons for the decline in the demand for domestic energy efficiency equipment during the past year.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Building Energy Efficiency Confederation wrote on 13 November to say that there was a decline in the sales of domestic energy efficiency equipment of between 6 per cent. and 20 per cent. during the first six months of 1989.

I replied recognising the concern of members of the confederation, but explaining that they should be aware that the Government's economic policies aimed at bringing down inflation have similarly affected other market sectors and that the confederation was not, therefore, in a unique situation.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the Energy Efficiency Office's findings about the alleged unproven cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency promotional activities directed at householders.

Mr. Wakeham

Surveys and other information have shown that the EEO's television and press advertising has had a good initial impact as regards bringing energy efficiency to the attention of householders, but that in many cases they have not gone on to implement energy efficiency measures. Market research has confirmed that those moving and improving their homes are significantly more likely to implement energy efficiency measures, and hence the EEO is targeting these groups, as well as low income households, as part of its total strategy of improving energy efficiency.