§ Sir Hector Monroasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the target temperature, in degrees, to which rooms are heated in the House; and how much expenditure could be saved by reducing the temperature by 5 deg Fahrenheit.
§ Sir George YoungThe various heating systems in the Palace of Westminster are such that individual room temperatures cannot currently be controlled precisely. A modernisation programme was started in 1978 but it will take a further two to three years to complete. However, in the meantime temperatures are monitored in key public areas four times a day [at 2 pm Tuesday 15 November, temperatures varied between 66°F in the Cloisters and 73°F in the Central Lobby].
It is not possible, without undue time and cost, to calculate accurately the likely saving if temperatures were to be reduce by 5°F, but a reduction of this magnitude could give rise to savings of around £30,000/£35,000 per annum.