§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy which of his Ministers has been given responsibility for energy use by his Department; and what is his brief regarding energy efficiency.
§ Mr. WakehamI chair the ministerial group on energy efficiency which is composed of a Minister from each major Government Department. My hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) represents the Department of Energy.
Each Minister on the group is expected to take forward the energy efficiency campaign on the Government estate and secure 15 per cent. annual savings in their Department's energy bill by 1995–96. In addition, all Ministers on the group have agreed to consider how energy efficiency can be incorporated into their Department's policy and publicity initiatives. The group intends to promote and raise awareness of energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy.
My hon. Friend and I also have specific responsibility for the work of the Energy Efficiency Office within the Department of Energy, which has the following main objectives:
- (i) to encourage consumers and buildings professionals to take action which will lead to improved energy efficiency, by stimulating their interest and providing them with specific and authoritative guidance on what can be achieved;
- (ii) to stimulate the development and application of energy management skills and techniques;
- (iii) to tackle market barriers such as the obstacles to public sector use of private sector expertise, and the inability of some low-income householders to raise funds and manage projects;
- (iv) to help develop technical standards.
- (v) to help the energy efficiency industry develop, and encourage it and the energy suppliers to develop and market goods and services which help consumers improve their energy efficiency;
- (vi) to promote combined heat and power where it is cost effective.