Energy Conservation (Hansard, 27 November 1990)

§ Mr. Hardy
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what additional resources are to be provided to stimulate energy conservation and saving; and if he will list the particular steps which are to be taken or confirmed in 1991.

§ Mr. Baldry
The Energy Efficiency Office budget will be substantially increased, to £42 million for 1991–92. The EEO will continue to promote a range of programmes designed to encourage the adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
From January 1991, the new home energy efficiency scheme, replacing the community insulation programme, will offer grants towards the cost of basic energy efficiency measures in low-income households.
During 1991, the EEO will be taking forward the initiatives announced in the White Paper on the environment "This Common Inheritance", Cm. 1200, which include: developing proposals for a new scheme of project management assistance for implementation of energy efficiency projects; considering with the lighting industry how to overcome barriers to the uptake of high-efficiency lighting; pursuing appliance labelling and minimum standards with our own appliance industry and in the EC.
The ministerial committee on energy efficiency, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy, will maintain the momentum for energy efficiency improvements; monitor the Government's energy efficiency programmes and the White Paper initiatives, and assess the need for further action.

§ Dr. Kim Howells
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps the Government have taken to encourage regional electricity companies to promote energy conservation after privatisation.

§ Mr. Baldry
Condition 22 of the supply licences issued to the regional electricity companies imposes an obligation on them to provide information and advice on energy efficiency and to provide individual codes of practice to the Director of the Office of Electricity Regulation—OFFER —setting out their proposals for doing this. Negotiations are continuing between the regional electricity companies and OFFER on the content of the codes.