§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now ready to announce the outcome of his Department's recent consultations on proposals to amend the building regulations to make better provision for energy conservation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergYes. My Department has consulted interested parties on a number of possible amendments to the building regulations, in the interests of furthering energy conservation. The proposals have been generally welcomed, and we have therefore decided to proceed to prepare the necessary statutory instrument, to make the following provisions to save energy in new buildings:
- a. the roofs of domestic buildings to be insulated to achieve a U-value of 0.35;
- b. the walls of domestic buildings to be insulated to achieve a U-value of 0.6;
- c. space and water heating systems in non-domestic premises to be fitted with controls designed to save fuel; and
- d. pipes, ducts, and storage vessels in all premises to be insulated
All these measures are highly cost-effective, and should ensure that buildings are designed with an eye to the efficient use of energy. I propose to lay an order before Parliament immediately after the recess to incorporate these improvements and a number of other changes needed to preserve standards of safety, to update references to British standards which have now been superseded and to simplify procedures.