§ 44. Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current fuel bill for building, services and transportation within his departmental responsibility; what programme is under way to reduce energy consumption; and what is the percentage target of savings and over what time scale.
§ Mr. MoyleHealth authorities' fuel bill for 1976–77 is estimated at £115 million. Advice on energy saving has been issued to the National Health Service and an extra £13.3 million has been specially allocated for energy conservation projects in the period 1978–79 to 1980–81. This sum augments funds from the NHS normal allocations and savings arising from earlier energy saving measures making a total in excess of £20 million. It is calculated that the NHS used 19 per cent. less energy in 1976–77 than would have been the case had no programme for conservation been undertaken since the fuel crisis in late 1973: and that by 1984 this should improve to 30 per cent. Fuel costs and associated savings for Department of Health and Social Security premises maintained and services provided by the Property Services Agency are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. The staff of my Department are of course, reminded from time to time of the need to conserve fuel.