§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to advise prospective house purchasers on how to save energy; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Energy Efficiency Office within my Department provides information and advice on energy efficiency in the home, and runs publicity campaigns for which those moving and improving their homes are a priority target. It is also lending its support to home energy labelling schemes, designed to inform house purchasers on energy running costs.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what plans he has to promote energy efficiency and energy conservation by means of media advertisements; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what funds have been allocated for (a) the current and (b) the next financial year for advertising aimed at encouraging the public to save energy.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe total marketing budget of the Energy Efficiency Office in support of its programmes, including publications, seminars and workshops throughout the country, is £2.6 million in the current financial year. Plans for the advertising component of this budget are not finalised. The marketing budget for the next financial year has yet to be determined.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will permit energy conservation measures as an option to meet the requirements of the non-fossil fuel obligation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonNo. Energy efficiency is being promoted by other means. The NFFO is designed to maintain diversity in generation and to share out the additional costs of achieving that diversity.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy why the energy efficiency demonstration scheme was closed in 1989.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe energy efficiency demonstration scheme was terminated when it was replaced by the best practice scheme, which has a wider scope and coverage.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what incentives exist to encourage electricity generating companies to invest in energy-saving measures; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryElectricity generators have substantial commercial incentives to minimise their fuel costs by improving the thermal efficiency of their existing generating plant and by building more efficient plant in future. This will improve their competitive position compared with any other generators which fail to do so.