HC Deb 26 June 2000 vol 352 c375W
Sir Sydney Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of the freehold tenant relationship on energy use in office buildings. [127453]

Mr. Raynsford

None. However, in 1998 my Department's Property Advisory Group published a report "Sustainable Development and Buildings" commending the use of all-inclusive occupation agreements in commercial buildings as a means of reducing energy consumption. Under such arrangements, the landlord provides a comprehensive range of services besides letting the property—for example, energy, insurance, repairs and maintenance—for an all-inclusive charge. The Property Advisory Group saw these as giving landlord and tenant a mutual interest in reducing occupation costs, including energy costs.

Sir Sydney Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the increase in energy consumption in commercial buildings, including the office sector, in the last 15 years for which figures are available. [127452]

Mrs. Liddell

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 June 2000,Official Report, column 313W.