§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he has estimated what proportion of the reduced consumption of primary energy, since the launching of the conservation campaign, is attributable to the "Save It" publicity effort and supporting measures; and what proportion is attributable to other factors;
(2) if he has estimated what proportion of the reduced consumption of primary energy since the launching of the conservation campaign is attributable to lower industrial production;
(3) if he has estimated what proportion of the reduced consumption of primary energy since the launching of the conservation campaign is attributable to above average temperatures.
§ Mr. EadieEnergy consumption is affected by a large number of influences, some of which are extremely difficult to measure and others which change their relationship with energy consumption over time. After making allowances for industrial and other reductions and a small temperature allowance, conservation measures, including the "Save It" campaign, seem to have accounted for a reduction in primary energy consumption of about 2 per cent.
Calculation of the short-term effect of a drop in industrial production is made difficult by the fluctuating relationship with energy consumption. Moreover the current decline in output lies outside the range of recent experience so that there is no close standard for comparison. However, a reasonable estimate of the effect in the first three-quarters of 1975 is 3–4 per cent. of total primary energy consumption.
Average temperatures vary very little from one year to another and the impact of temperature is greatly complicated by other factors such as wind and rain. However, a reasonable estimate for the effect of average 1975 temperatures on primary energy consumption related to 1973 is a reduction of about 0.3 per cent.