§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many households received voucher booklets offering discounts on energy efficiency products and services; [30497]
(2) what assessment he has made of the likely take-up of 25 per cent. grants under the home energy efficiency scheme from the results of energy efficiency voucher scheme; [30498]
(3) what estimate he has made of the number of households taking up one or more of the discounted offers under the energy efficiency voucher scheme. [30499]
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§ Mr. Robert B. JonesThe home energy efficiency scheme is the Government's major domestic energy efficiency programme and almost 2 million grants have been paid since it began in 1991. We expect a significant number of householders aged over 60 who qualify for HEES only on age grounds to take advantage of the 25 per cent. grant. This discount is a substantial incentive to adopt the energy efficiency measures under this scheme with its good reputation for quality. There is, however, no specific link between HEES and the voucher book scheme which was a separate promotion to encourage energy saving under the "Wasting Energy Costs the Earth" campaign.
For information about distribution and take-up of the voucher book I refer the hon. Member to answers given to the hon. Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson) on 22 November 1995, column 111, and 23 April, column 63.