§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will publish a list of those European countries with a temperate climate whose statutory regulation of thermal insulation on existing and new buildings is of a lower standard than those now applicable in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. FreesonI have been asked to reply.
As far as is known, no such countries lay down mandatory standards for the thermal insulation of existing buildings. As to new buildings, international comparisons are difficult to make, but, broadly, no country of North-West Europe has mandatory standards for housing which are lower than our current standards, which are in the course of being raised. There is little regulation of the thermal insulation of non-domestic buildings in continental countries.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether he has yet used his powers, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, to make regulations directed specifically towards energy conservation; and if he will publish details;
(2) whether he has yet acted on the recommendation by the National Economic Development Office report of last June, urging higher standards of thermal insulation on buildings;
(3) if he can now say what plans he has to change the building regulations to ensure proper thermal insulation of cavity walls and double glazing on new buildings, in the interests of energy conservation.
§ Mr. FreesonI have been asked to reply.
I am considering how best to use the powers in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to make building regulations in the interest of fuel conservation over the full range of types of building regulations in the interest of fuel conservation over the full range of types of building. Action to improve the thermal insulation of dwellings under the Public Health Act powers will make an important early contribution to energy conservation, but I cannot yet say whether a 652W further increase in the thermal insulation of walls and windows will be found to merit a higher priority than other measures.