§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has approved any system of certificated training for installers and others involved in business activities aided by the home energy efficiency scheme.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryPrior to the introduction of the home energy efficiency scheme—HEES—the Energy Efficiency Office made available to organisations intending6W to bid to become network installers under the scheme, vouchers for the provision of training in energy awareness. Neighbourhood Energy Action has developed four City and Guilds qualifications—in draughtproofing, loft insulation, surveying and energy awareness—which are relevant to installers operating under HEES and others carrying out similar work. Next month, the first national vocational qualification in energy efficiency is to he launched.
My Department and the Energy Action Grants Agency take every opportunity to stress the importance of training for installers. The Energy Efficiency Office, as part of its monitoring of the scheme, will be looking carefully at the link between the use of qualified installers and higher standards of workmanship.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will introduce a code of conduct in relation to sales techniques for installers of domestic insulation operating under the home energy efficiency scheme;
(2) what studies he has carried out of the use of pressure selling techniques by commercial insulation installers operating under the wing of the home energy efficiency scheme.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryFollowing consideration of early monitoring results, including reports of unacceptable selling techniques being used by a small number of contractors, I announced on 22 May the introduction of a procedure for the listing of contractors operating under the home energy efficiency scheme. At the same time, the Energy Action Grants Agency, having consulted interested parties, introduced the "Customer Care Guidelines on Good Conduct" to which network installers and listed contractors operating under the scheme are required to adhere.