§ 21. Mr. Tony Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied with the progress of the Government's energy conservation programme.
§ Mr. LawsonYes. But it is clearly important that such resources as the Government do commit to the encouragement of economic energy saving should be used to the greatest effect, and in the most coherent way. It is precisely because I was not satisfied that this was the case at the present time that I invited Lord Rayner last year to set in motion a "Rayner scrutiny" of the organisation of the Government's effort in energy conservation.
196WIt is a complicated issue, spanning as it does several Government Departments; but I very much hope that the most useful report which emerged from this exercise will lead to worthwhile improvements.
In the meantime, I am pressing ahead towards the creation of an energy efficiency office in my Department. Necessary organisational changes within the Department are already in hand and the nucleus of the office will soon be established.