§ Mr. CranTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what evidence he has as to increased fuel efficiency on the part of bulk consumers; how this compares with the practice of other consumers, domestic and industrial; and what plans he has to encourage further such efficiency.
§ Mr. ParkinsonDuring the period 1979 to 1984 energy purchased per unit of production fell over 35 per cent. in the paper industry, 40 per cent. to 65 per cent. in basic chemicals, and over 70 per cent. in the aluminium industry. The figure for manufacturing industry as a whole was 25 per cent.
No comparable figures exist for the domestic sector but, for example, about 90 per cent. of homes with lofts which can be insulated have been insulated.
Building on this success, I have asked the Energy Efficiency Office to target its work on the economically most attractive areas, and to examine how the contribution of those who benefit from its industrial and commercial programmes can be increased.