HC Deb 20 December 1989 vol 164 c324W
Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what commercially co-sponsored research into domestic property green labelling and greenhouse gas emissions from homes is being conducted by(a) the Building Research Establishment or (b) consultants to the Building Research Establishment; and what is the total current departmental investment into this programme.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 20 December 1989]: The Building Research Establishment is not currently engaged in any commercially co-sponsored research into domestic property green labelling or greenhouse gas emissions from homes, either directly or through consultants.

BRE is engaged in the following activities which are of relevance:

  1. (1) work on the emission of greenhouse gases from buildings, as part of the research programme of the environmental protection directorate of DOE;
  2. (2) the development of energy labels for housing, with commercial interests;
  3. (3) the management of a project for a group of companies looking into the long-term future development of housing, which is expected to cover "green" issues;
  4. (4) the development of "green" labels, initially for non-domestic buildings, with commercial interests.

The total current departmental investment in this general area at BRE amounts to some £400,000.