Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (Hansard, 17 June 1991)

§ 20. Mr. Ian Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will report on the progress of the home energy efficiency scheme.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
Initial experience in operating the scheme has confirmed that it meets a real need and is being well received. But it has also shown that to benefit customers and energy efficiency, work must be closely monitored and controlled to maintain a high standard.
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§ Simon Hughes
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the(a) grants and (b) advice given to public sector householders in the parliamentary constituency of Southwark and Bermondsey by the home energy efficiency scheme.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
Such an analysis of grants paid could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Where other work is undertaken under the scheme, grants of up to £10 are available for the provision of basic energy advice covering such matters as the effective use off heating controls, avoidance of condensation, and practical ways in which the public can save energy.

§ Mr. Harry Greenway
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any further plans for the insulation of buildings in order to conserve energy; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
The energy efficiency office is continuing to undertake a variety of programmes to promote energy efficiency in buildings, some of which were referred to in "This Common Inheritance".
These include: the home energy efficiency scheme, which provides grants to low income householders for basic insulation measures; a new domestic campaign, with the Department of the Environment, to explain the link between energy use and its effect on the environment and to promote energy efficiency in the home; the best practice programme, which provides authoritative and impartial advice and information to building professionals and managers; promotion of energy efficiency in Government buildings, with the objective of reducing energy consumption by 15 per cent. over five years; a campaign, with the Department of Health, to achieve 15 per cent. savings over five years in the national health service in England; seminars with the Department of the Environment to promote energy efficiency to chief executives and leaders of local authorities; seminars, with the Department of Education and Esso, for head teachers and governors of schools.