§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to improve standards of insulation in new houses, other new buildings and existing houses and other existing buildings.
§ Mr. BaldryThe requirements of the building regulations for the conservation of fuel and power include provisions for the insulation of both new houses and other new buildings. These requirements were made more stringent in 1990. The Government are at present reviewing them to see how they might be further strengthened.
The Government will continue to make substantial capital sums available for improving the insulation of existing homes. Measures are undertaken through repair and improvement programmes to the local authority housing stock, the green house programme, the home energy efficiency scheme, house renovation grants and minor works assistance and the Housing Corporation's rehabilitation programme.
The Energy Efficiency Office through its best practice programme and energy management assistance scheme promotes improvements in the energy efficiency performance of other existing buildings.