HC Deb 12 February 1991 vol 185 cc387-8W
Mr. Rost

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 30 January,Official Report, column 507, for what reasons he decided not to maintain figures concerning the proportion of eligible homes in England and Wales with thermostats installed on 50 per cent. or more radiator valves.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The energy efficiency industry provides the Energy Efficiency Office in my Department with information on the sales of various types of insulation and heating products, including thermostatic radiator valves, thus enabling the Energy Efficiency Office to monitor trends in the industry. However, the information provided does not enable the incidence of installation of thermostatic radiator valves in domestic premises to be monitored, and my Department does not require such information in the normal conduct of its business.

Mr. Rost

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to publish forecasts as to when he anticipates different energy efficiency measures will achieve 50 per cent. of the eligible market.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

I have no plans to publish such forecasts. Although the Government will continue to promote and encourage greater energy efficiency in the home, the take-up of individual measures by householders will depend on numerous factors, which will vary from product to product. The Energy Efficiency Office in my Department seeks to assess the success of its programmes and activities by evaluations, market research surveys, examination of trade sales figures and so on, but does not attempt to forecast future levels of market penetration.

Mr. Rost

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has on the proportion of lighting which has been converted to energy-efficient lighting at(a) the Palace of Westminster, (b) Government buildings, (c) establishments owned or occupied in each Government Department and (d) local authorities.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

As part of the Government's drive to improve energy efficiency in Government buildings, my Energy Efficiency Office gives advice, and encourages Departments to adopt cost-effective energy efficiency measures including lighting. However each Department has responsibility for the energy management of its own estate, and the information requested is not held centrally.