§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what energy conservation schemes he intends to initiate in respect of National Health Service hospitals and administrative buildings.
§ Mr. John PattenIt is for health authorities themselves to initiate energy conservation measures as part of local revenue cost improvement programmes. The Department will continue to encourage the adoption of innovatory measures and provide resources for monitoring demonstration schemes that will benefit the rest of the health service. Two hospitals, in Windsor and Dover, will be used as demonstration sites for the effectiveness of new measures, for energy survey and auditing methods, computer aids, small building management systems and involvement of all hospital staff in the drive to reduce energy costs in the existing National Health Service estate.