§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has made a decision on the Government grant support for the Energy Saving Trust in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [26531]
§ Mr. MeacherThe previous Government's planned public expenditure total provided £13.5 million for 1998–99, compared to this year's £19 million. We have allocated an additional £5.5 million to the Trust, to avoid the previous Government's planned cut, and to maintain Government support for the Trust. This allocation of grant support reflects the contribution which energy efficiency makes both to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and to reducing consumers' energy bills. The increased allocation will enable the Trust to maintain and develop its successful programmes, and will secure the Trust's capability to plan for the climate change task ahead. For the present year, the Secretary of State has allocated the Trust an additional £450,000, to enable it to extend its successful 'Energy Efficiency' promotion campaign and extend other successful programmes.