HC Deb 06 March 1984 vol 55 cc574-5W
Sir John Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about measures for the conservation of domestic energy in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Butler

Energy efficiency is particularly important in Northern Ireland on account of the higher energy costs there. A wide range of advice and information is available to the domestic energy consumer from the Department of Economic Development, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive provides cash grants towards the cost of loft and tank insulation under the homes insulation scheme. The scheme costs £400,000 per annum. At 31 December 1983 63,000 grant approvals had been made and applications are currently running at 600 per month. In addition, the executive is insulating its own properties and so far 90,000 out of 115,000 dwellings capable of insulation have been treated. Because of the particular needs of the Province, energy efficiency policies have been reviewed and the results of that review will be announced shortly.