§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what specific measures his Department has taken to promote energy efficiency; what further measures his Department intends to take to promote energy efficiency; and by what amount and what percentage of its total energy bill his Department's energy bill has been reduced over the past year.
§ Mr. ForthMy Department has introduced a range of measures to promote energy efficiency, including:
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the creation of a Departmental energy strategy which inter alia commits us to achieve an energy saving of 15 per cent. over the next five years.the appointment of a Departmental Energy Manager to co-ordinate initiatives in energy conservation.the setting up of an intensive basic training programme for energy managers at regional and area level.the setting up of a "spend to save" budget to fund various initiatives.the setting up of a programme of energy surveys, targeting those buildings with the best potential for savings.the setting up of computerised energy monitoring and targeting systems to identify energy waste.guidance to staff on how to become more energy conscious.the relamping of buildings with energy saving lighting, particularly when a building is being refurbished.My Department's energy strategy will be closely monitored and other energy-saving measures will be introduced when suitable opportunities arise.
In the financial year 1989–90, expenditure on energy rose by 3.3 per cent., which is less than the increase in energy prices in the same period. Consumption figures for this year are not available. Moreover, my Department's new and revised energy strategy was not introduced until April 1990.