§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what specific measures his Department has taken to promote energy efficiency; what further measures his Department intends to take to promote energy efficiency;582W 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. NeedhamOn 6 December 1990 the Department of Economic Development issued a consultative paper on energy efficiency in Northern Ireland. It set out the extensive initiatives already under way to promote energy efficiency in the Province; by all other interested parties through a "Partnership in Action" programme. Specific recommendations for further action were made and comments on the consultative paper have been requested by 1 March 1991. A copy of the consultative paper has been placed in the Library.
Since 1984 Northern Ireland has had its own interdepartmental committee on energy efficiency. It monitors annual energy use by Government and submits reports to the Secretary of State. In addition, Northern Ireland participates in the United Kingdom-wide ministerial group on energy efficiency. Moreover, schemes of assistance for low-income households and the best practice programme are operative in Northern Ireland.
In the calendar year 1990 expenditure on energy in the Northern Ireland Government office estate was £2.1 million which represents a 5 per cent. reduction compared with the previous calendar year in 1990 price terms.