§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what role the Scottish Environment Department has in promoting energy conservation and efficiency.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe main responsibility for promoting energy efficiency in Scotland rests with the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office which forms part of the Scottish Office industry department. The Scottish Office environment department is concerned with promoting energy conservation and efficiency in relation to housing. As an example of this, a total of £9.5 million in additional resources has been made available to Scottish local authorities over the years 1991–92 and 1992–93 to fund projects which demonstrate energy efficiency savings in local authority housing.
My right hon. Friend, by means of the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations, prescribes standards for buildings, including standards for energy conservation, which apply to all new buildings and alterations or conversions (other than those of a very minor nature). The Environmental Department is responsible for promoting these standards and the necessary legislation.