§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take immediate steps to initiate a more comprehensive energy conservation programme, in view of the energy savings statistics published in June's Energy Trends, which revealed poor savings.
§ Mr. EadieMy right hon. Friend attaches great importance to the prosecution and extension of the Department's ongoing programme for energy conserva172W tion. He would not consider it appropriate to change policies in response to a single month's figures, which may not reflect the underlying trend. It is estimated that total energy consumption this year has been running at about 4 per cent—5 per cent. below the level of the same period two years ago.