§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Energy what action he plans to take to implement clauses 15 and 16 of the Energy Conservation Bill [Lords] following that Bill's enactment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MooreClauses 15 and 16 of the Energy Conservation Bill would come into effect immediately following Royal Assent. Clause 15 is primarily intended to provide specific statutory authority for the operation of two existing energy conservation advice schemes, the energy survey scheme and the energy quick advice service. But it would also provide authority for the introduction of new schemes if and when this proved desirable.
Clause 16 would require water authorities to have regard to the need to conserve energy, and the consequent desirability of preventing water charges from inhibiting the abstraction of water for use as a source of power. The Department of the Environment will be writing after enactment to the water authorities in England and Wales to draw their attention to this provision.