§ Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has appointed an energy manager to supervise energy conservation in his departmental premises.
§ Sir George YoungI have been asked to reply as energy conservation in the Government Civil Estate is primarily the responsibility of the Property Services Agency.
In 1972–73 officers having specific responsibility for energy conservation in Government accommodation were appointed within the agency's territorial organisation in Scotland, Wales and each of the eight English regions. As the work has developed, additional staff resources have been made available. Co-ordination and technical advice is provided by a specialist energy conservation group at the agency's Croydon headquarters.
As a result of the work undertaken by the agency, and the co-operation of the Departments concerned, the saving in energy expenditure in the Government Civil Estate in
44Weffect he estimates such a commitment will have on gas field development on the United Kingdom side of the median line.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNegotiations for the purchase of gas are a commercial matter for the British Gas Corporation, but my Department naturally takes an interest in the potential purchase of gas supplies as large as those available for the Sleipner field. The possible effect of such a purchase on future United Kingdom continental shelf development is one factor to be considered. Whether or not Sleipner gas is purchased it is clear that there will be a need for substantial new United Kingdom continental shelf gas field developments.