§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of his Ministers has been given responsibility for energy use by his Department; and what is his brief regarding energy efficiency.
§ Mr. NeedhamI am responsible to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State both for energy matters, including energy efficiency, and for the environment.
My specific brief on energy efficiency is to promote the continuous implementation of effective energy efficiency measures throughout the Northern Ireland economy. To that end I published an important consultative paper on energy efficiency last December. It promotes energy efficiency in the context of environmental conservation; calls for committed action now by all interested parties; and sets out—by way of example—an extensive range of initiatives being taken by Government including increased financial support for both low-income families and the industrial and commercial sectors. A copy of the consultative paper has been placed in the Library. Responses to the consultative paper are now being analysed and will be reflected in an energy strategy paper to be published later this year.
In the public sector Northern Ireland has had its own inter departmental committee on energy efficiency since 1984. It promotes and co-ordinates public sector initiatives, reports annually to my right hon. Friend and sets targets for continuous improvement. In addition, I represent Northern Ireland on the United Kingdom-wide ministerial group on energy efficiency chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy.
On 6 March my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland issued a personal message to all public sector employees in Northern Ireland exhorting them to practise energy efficiency not only at work but at home, in their leisure, social and recreational pursuits. My right hon. Friend wishes to be kept informed of progress.