HC Deb 30 January 1989 vol 146 cc84-5W
29. Mr. Eadie

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are his responsibilities in relation to energy conservation.

Mr. Parkinson

Under the Ministry of Fuel and Power Act 1945, the Secretary of State for Energy is charged with promoting economy and efficiency in the supply, distribution, use and consumption of fuel and power. Under the Gas Act 1986, the Secretary of State has a duty to promote efficiency and economy on the part of persons authorised to supply gas through pipes and the efficient use of gas supplied through pipes.

18. Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his target for energy conservation in the Government estate and the progress of interdepartmental co-ordination.

Mr. Parkinson

Plans are being drawn up for a fresh campaign to improve energy efficiency in the public sector.

Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will state the number of jobs that would be created in a programme of domestic energy conservation, namely draught proofing and the insulation of homes, to displace the equivalent energy supplied by one large power station.

Mr. Peter Morrison

There is no straightforward relationship between energy efficiency programmes and displaced electrical energy.

Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what expenditure is going into research into energy conservation and implementation of an energy conservation strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The 1988–89 estimate provision available to the Energy Efficiency Office of my Department is £20.8 million, of which £5.4 million is for research and development, including the monitoring and targeting programme, and £7.1 million for the demonstration programme.