§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's energy efficiency performance target expressed as a percentage change in comparison to 1990–91 for each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [118993]
§ Mr. TimmsI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 22 March 2000,Official Report, columns 548-49W. It was explained then that a new target had been set across the Government estate to apply from 2000–01, of a 1 per cent. per annum reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. My Department will aim to meet this target. It represents a change against the previous cross Government target to 31 March 2000 which was expressed in terms of reductions in energy expenditure. Measurement in greenhouse gas emissions provides a much better fit with the current climate change programme and the UK's Kyoto targets. The base year will be 1999–2000 as it was the final year to which the previous target applied. Figures 372W will be released when they are available on performance in 1999–2000 against the target to 31 March 2000 with 1990–91 as the base year.
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage change compared to 1990–91 in his Department's energy efficiency in each year since 1990–91; and if he will make a statement. [118992]
§ Mr. TimmsI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale), on 22 July 1999,Official Report, column 582W which reports progress for all central government departments by 31 March 1998. I hope to publish shortly results for the period up to March 1999.