§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what review has been made of energy conservation measures taken since the 1973 energy crisis; and if he is satisfied with progress made up to the present date;
(2) if he will list in the Official Report energy conservation measures taken since the 1973 energy crisis together with the cost in each case and the estimated energy saving achieved.
§ Dr. John A. CunninghamGovernment energy conservation policy was review in 1975–76, and the results were published in the July 1976 White Paper "Energy Conservation" (Cmnd 6575). which summarised the measures already taken and identified the areas on which the next stage of the programme would concentrate.
It is not in general possible to identify the energy savings resulting from individual measures and to set them against their cost. However, on the basis of studies by the Department summarised in the report of the Working Party on Energy Elasticities (Energy Paper No. 17 published by HMSO), it is estimated that all conservation measures, including the effects of energy price increases and of the "Save It" campaign, may have produced savings in 1975 of the order of 6 per cent. of total primary energy, though this estimate is subject to a substantial margin of error in either direction. Preliminary calculations suggest that savings at about this level continued in 1976. This is an encouraging achievement, but substantially larger savings will be needed and a review of possible further Government action is now in hand.
§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Energy what measures have been taken to increase public awareness of the need for energy conservation since the 1973 energy crisis; what has been their total cost; and if he is satisfied with progress made up to the present date.
§ Dr. John A. CunninghamOne of the main ways in which the Government have sought to increase public awareness of the need for energy conservation has been 355W through my Department's "Save It" campaign; this has included advertisements and booklets aimed at the general public, and seminars, specialist publications and films for industry, and has been reinforced by many ministerial and official speeches. The cost of the "Save It" campaign up to March 1977 was £5.9 million. A further £1.9 million has been allocated for 1977–78. Good progress has been made, but much remains to be done.