§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Energy what assistance his Department is giving to the energy insulation scheme, entitled Neighbourhood Energy Action; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MooreAs I told my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Cambourne (Mr. Mudd) on 2 June 1981, I was pleased to announce that the Department of Energy propose to spend £104,500 in 1981–82 to stimulate the activities of voluntary organisations in promoting energy conservation. I believe that the voluntary sector can make an important contribution in this area.
This expenditure is in three parts. First, my Department and the Manpower Services Commission will each contribute £11,500 this year towards the costs of the neighbourhood Energy Action programme. This has been set up by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, to develop community energy projects whose purpose is to make available information and advice on practical self-help in energy saving, and to sponsor home insulation schemes.
Secondly, I have allocated £18,000 for seed-corn grants, to encourage the establishment of new home insulation projects, through regional workshops and 415W conferences, and the training of project leaders. Thirdly, up to £75,000 is available for project grants to meet the starting-up costs of particular insulation schemes sponsored by voluntary organisations, mainly using the long-term unemployed under MSC schemes. It is intended that these schemes should principally be of help to the elderly and disabled and others on low incomes.