HC Deb 21 March 1977 vol 928 cc398-9W
Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will report progress on the Energy Audit Scheme managed by the Energy Unit at the National Physical Laboratory.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The first report, on the non-ferrous metals industry, is expected to be published in June 1977. Further reports, on the mechanical engineering, textiles, ceramics, glass and paint industries, are expected to be published between September 1977 and February 1978.

Information is being obtained on the energy consumption within each of these industries. This is being used to identify where energy savings can be made.

Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will report progress on the industrial energy thrift schemes managed by the Energy Unit at the National Physical Laboratory.

Mr. Les Huckfield

1,607 industrial sites have been visited. Each company concerned has received or will receive a confidential report on the economic energy-saving opportunities identified. About 3,500 sites will be visited in total during the operation of the scheme.

It has been shown that the majority of the companies visited can improve their energy efficiency through simple measures. Further improvements could also often be obtained by capital investment which would be recouped in a matter of a year or two.

Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the consultants and research associations under contract to the Energy Unit at the National Physical Laboratory, engaged in work on the Industrial Energy Thrift Scheme and the Energy Audit Scheme; and what is the budgeted expenditure for these schemes.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The research associations carrying out the Energy Audit Scheme areBritish Ceramic Research Association BNF Metals Technology Centre British Glass Industry Research Association Building Services Research and Information Association Electrical Research Association Paint Research Association PIRA (the Research Association for the paper and board, printing and packaging industries) Production Engineering Research Association Shirley Institute (cotton, silk and man-made fibres Research Association)

The Research Associations carrying out the Industrial Energy Thrift Scheme are: British Ceramic Research Association British Glass Industry Research Association British Leather Manufacturers Research Association BNF Metals Technology Centre Electrical Research Association HATRA (formerly Hosiery and Allied Trades Research Association) Lambeg Industrial Research Association PIRA (the Research Association for the paper and board, printing and packaging industries) Production Engineering Research Association Rubber and Plastics Research Association of Great Britain Shirley Institute (cotton, silk and man-made fibres Research Association) Shoe and Allied Trades Research Association Timber Research and Development Association WIRA (formerly Wool Industries Research Association) Visits to companies in Northern Ireland under the Industrial Energy Thrift Scheme are being carried out for the Department of Industry by the Fuel Efficiency Service and the Industrial Science Division of the Northern Ireland Department of Commerce. Additionally, the Research Associations draw on fuel consultants to carry out visits to companies under the Industrial Energy Thrift Scheme drawing from a list of 264 consultants supplied by the Energy Unit. The total budget of the schemes is £1 ¾ million.