§ 25. Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to launch a new campaign on energy conservation.
§ Mr. John MooreThe Government's energy conservation campaign provides consumers with information and advice to help them make the most of energy. As it is a continuing campaign which reflects the key position of conservation in energy policy, the question of launching a new campaign does not arise. Advertising spending will be boosted in the Autumn and spending in the current year will be £3.2 million—a 30 per cent. increase over last year's expenditure. Additionally, the nationalised and private sector fuel industries emphasise energy conservation in much of their publicity.
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§ 26. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take further steps to encourage energy conservation.
§ Mr. John MooreThe Government's conservation policy is based on economic energy prices, backed up by a campaign of information and advice to consumers in which nationalised and private sector industries also play a part. I am encouraged by the falling trend in consumption towards the end of last year, which is continuing into 1980, and see no need for further steps at the present time.
§ 28. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many members of the staff of his Department are engaged on work covering energy conservation; and what proportion of the total this number represents.
§ Mr. David Howell47 members of the staff of my Department are directly engaged on energy conservation work. This represents just under 4 per cent. of the total. In addition, my Department meets the cost of maintaining 10 regional energy conservation officers employed in the regional offices of the Department of Industry and in the Welsh Office.