HC Deb 20 February 1991 vol 186 cc187-8W
Mr. Cartwright

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to encourage the use of low-energy light bulbs in his Department's offices and other buildings.

Mr. Forth

My Department attaches great importance to promoting energy efficiency and has introduced the following measures to ensure that energy efficient lighting is installed in all of our offices and other buildings.

1. The specification for new buildings and major refurbishments of existing buildings now includes a requirement that only energy-efficient fluorescent tubes and miniature fluorescent lamps may be used, unless, for exceptional reasons this is not practicable.

2. Fluorescent tubes and metal filament bulbs in other buildings are being systematically replaced with energy-efficent alternatives.

My Department closely monitors its energy consumption, and introduces energy-saving measures whenever suitable opportunities occur.