§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of public and private sector houses, respectively, which lack central heating; and what is his estimate of the cost of installing full central heating in the average four apartment local authority house, giving costs, for gas, electricity, and coal.
§ Mr. RifkindApproximately 700,000 in the public sector, and 600,000 in the private sector. The average cost of installing full central heating fuelled by gas or solid fuel is £1,650 at current prices. Full electric central heating is now rarely installed and costs are not available.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of public sector houses below accepted standards of insulation; and what is his estimate of the cost of insulating an average four-apartment house up to accepted standard.
§ Mr. RifkindApproximately 480,000 public sector houses with loft spaces have less loft insulation than the current Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations requirement of 50 mm (2 inches). The average cost of providing loft insulation in a typical 2-storey, 4-apartment house is between £75 and £85.