§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies have been sponsored by the Building Research Establishment to research and demonstrate the benefits of passive solar design in buildings; and what steps he is taking to increase the awareness of the benefits of such design among developers, designers and clients, as indicated in paragraph 40, page 289 of the White Paper on the environment (Cm. 1200).
§ Mr. TrippierThe Building Research Establishment is undertaking for my Department and for the Department of Energy's technology support unit a range of specific projects on passive solar design. These currently include studies on modelling methods, the use of daylight for passive solar energy and work on international and European research. Department of Energy research spending currently amounts to some £2 million a year.
To increase awareness of the benefits of passive solar design an integrated marketing programme is in preparation as part of the best practice programme of the Energy Efficiency Office.