§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Energy what would be the number of jobs created by adopting the alternative sources of power, in particular solar, wind and wave power, biological fermentation and distillation and an insulation programme, instead of an expanded nuclear programme of which the Windscale plant would be an essential part.
§ Mr. EadieMost of the alternative sources of energy are at an early stage of development. Work is in hand to establish their technological and economic potential, but it is not possible at present to quantify the number of jobs that their adoption on a large scale would create.
410WThe Government have recognised the potential for job creation in energy conservation, in particular in the thermal insulation of buildings. Projects covering nearly 110,000 homes have been approved for funding under the job creation programme. This programme is now being replaced by the special temporary employment and the youth opportunity programmes under which roof insulation schemes will continue to be eligible for funding. A further 2 million public sector houses, as well as schools, hospitals and other public sector buildings, will be insulated under the 10-year conservation programme announced last December.