§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to amend part L of the Building Regulations 1991 to encourage the conservation of fuel and power; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryI am today issuing a consultation paper setting out proposals for strengthening the requirements of part L of the Building Regulations 1991 for the conservation of fuel and power. The aim is to reduce the CO emissions from buildings by incorporating cost effective measures, but to do so in a way which does not introduce unacceptable technical risks and maintains some flexibility for designers. We estimate that adoption of these proposals would improve the energy performance of space and water heating in houses by some 25 to 35 per cent. compared with current building regulations standards, with similar improvements in the non-domestic sector.
Among the proposals is one to require an energy rating for all new dwellings and house conversions. This would 610W be a major step forward in increasing energy awareness among house buyers. A copy of the consultation papers has been placed in the Library of the House.