§ The Earl of Kintoreasked Her Majesty's Government:
In view of the spectacular potential for energy conservation in hospital kitchens using standard equipment as shown by the DHSS inquiry, what savings would be possible if the same methods were applied to school kitchens within the United Kingdom; what is the current approximate cost of energy consumed by these establishments and whether the potential savings in costs in school kitchens would be similar to those in hospital kitchens.
§ Baroness YoungThe DHSS study is concerned with the potential for energy economy in a future low energy nucleus hospital. My department is at present monitoring energy consumption in kitchens in a number of schools and will, in the light of the results and of the DHSS and other relevant work, be offering advice to local education authorities. Of the total expenditure on the school meals service in 1979–80, fuel accounted for £19 million.