§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will(a) list (i) the number of energy agencies in the United Kingdom and (ii) give details of how they are funded and (b) state what plans he has to increase the number of energy agencies in the United Kingdom. [67686]
§ Mr. MealeI have been asked to reply.
Seventeen energy agencies have been established in the UK under the European Commission's SAVE II energy efficiency programme, and I understand that a further five are completing the contractual procedures. Detailed funding arrangements are a matter for the Commission and the agency concerned, though, in general, the SAVE II programme provides up to 150,000 Euros of start-up funding: after three years, the agencies are expected to become self financing. We publicise the annual call for proposals under the SAVE H programme, and encourage and assist UK interests to submit effective applications.