Insulation (Hansard, 15 May 1989)

§ 7. Mr. George Howarth
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has completed his plans to revive the neighbourhood energy action programme for community insulation schemes; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Michael Spicer
Information is still being collected, but we believe that the special measures introduced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment are having a positive impact. We will continue to monitor the position closely.

§ Mr. Michael
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the contribution to Britain's energy requirements resulting from draught proofing and loft insulation in each of the past 10 years; and what targets he has set for such work in each of the next five years.

§ Mr. Peter Morrison
The extent to which improved loft insulation and draught proofing lead to lower demand for energy depends upon a number of factors including the extent to which consumers opt at least in part for greater warmth rather than simply saving energy. An assessment of the sort requested is not available.

§ Mr. Michael
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, what steps he has taken to ensure that adequate numbers of operatives and trainees are available to undertake community energy action work in draughtproofing and loft insulation.

§ Mr. Peter Morrison
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment, who has responsibility for employment training, announced on 10 February a special package of measures to help community insulation projects. Those measures now appear to be having a positive impact.

§ 53. Ms. Mowlam
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his Department's estimate of the energy savings that would accrue if all existing buildings were retro-fitted to bring them up to the standard of the proposed new building regulations.

§ Mr. Peter Morrison
In theory bringing all existing domestic buildings up to the standards of thermal insulation set out in the proposed new building regulations would lead to a reduction in demand of approximately 9 million tonnes of oil equivalent. However, achievement of such standards would not be cost effective or possible in many cases, particularly with older buildings. Equivalent estimates for reductions in demand in respect of non-domestic buildings are not available.

§ 44. Mr. Ray Powell
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his Department's estimate of the potential savings in energy demand, if all United Kingdom residential properties had 6 in of roof insulation.

§ Mr. Peter Morrison
In theory the installation of 6 in of insulation in all domestic buildings with accessible lofts could lead to a potential annual saving of some 1.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent. However, as householders would be likely to take part of the potential saving in greater warmth the actual saving would be lower.