§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his Department's funding for Neighbourhood Energy Action in the current financial year; and what is the proposed grant for 1987–88.
§ Mr. David HuntMy Department has made grants to Neighbourhood Energy Action for 1985–86 totalling £185,764. The level of grant for 1986–87 is now under consideration. Funding for subsequent years will be considered in the light of the development of insulation projects.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress his Department is making towards an agreed national programme with the Manpower Services commission for the expansion of Neighbourhood Energy Action projects to insulate the homes of low-income families; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntMy Department's energy efficiency office has agreed with the Manpower Services Commission an initiative within the community programme to promote the expansion of insulation projects. A promotional leaflet, describing the initiative, jointly prepared by the energy efficiency office, the 695W Manpower Services Commission and Neighbourhood Energy Action, is being distributed through local Manpower Services Commission offices.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the contribution made by Neighbourhood Energy Action in insulating homes of low-income families; how many local schemes have to date been established; how many are planned for 1986–87; and what is the estimated number of homes that have been insulated under these schemes.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerYes. I recently launched the 222nd insulation project in the programme co-ordinated by Neighbourhood Energy Action. My Department has now issued a total of 460 seedcorn grants for project preparation, and 268 grants for project start-up. I would expect that around 400 projects will be operating by the end of 1986–87. To date, over 130,000 homes have been insulated by the projects.