§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes have benefited from Government-sponsored programmes of energy efficiency in each year since their establishment. [86206]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Department provides grants for improving the energy efficiency of homes through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and also funds the grant programmes operated by the Energy Saving Trust. The number of homes helped through each are detailed.
Homes improved through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme Year Number of homes improved 1991–92 167,849 1992–93 204,130 1993–94 270,148 1994–95 449,902 1995–96 623,963 1996–97 415,422 1997–98 419,935 1998–99 404,960
Homes improved through DETR funded programmes operated by the Energy Saving Trust Programme 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 Energy Efficiency Advice Centre 109,954 166,744 181,599 HECA Action1 37 31 30 Energy Service Companies1 2 7 20 Raising the Standard 6,000 9,000 12,110 Heating Controls 16,725 17,500 n/a Cavity Wall Insulation 30,000 35,000 22,747 Pensioners Energy Plan 48 65 25 Total 162,766 228,347 216,531 1Grants to organisations rather than individual households The energy efficiency of many homes has also been improved through earlier Government programmes; the introduction of energy efficiency requirements within building regulations; and from broader programmes to promote energy efficiency including the Market Transformation Strategy and the high profile "Are You Doing Your Bit" campaign.
At the same time, schemes developed as part of the Standards of Performance set by the Director General for Electricity have also improved the energy efficiency of homes.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for introducing(a) energy efficiency and (b) renewable energy strategies at regional level. [86044]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 8 June 1999]Our recent White Paper on sustainable development, "A better quality of life", announced that we wish to see sustainable development frameworks prepared in each English region by the end of 2000. We will be issuing guidance on the content and preparation of such frameworks. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are among the subjects which we are considering for inclusion in the frameworks.322W Additionally, as indicated in the consultation paper, "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21 Century", recently published by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, renewable energy is a topic we will be considering in the context of our new proposals for Regional Planning Guidance, on which we have been consulting.