§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many local authorities pay the client contribution element of the home energy efficiency scheme; and what proportion of the total this represents;
(2) how many network installers operate hardship funds; and what proportion of the total this represents.
§ Mr. MacleanThese figures are not available centrally.
§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the relationship between financial allocations to network installers and the estimated number of households eligible for grants under the home energy efficiency scheme within that network installer's area;
(2) what plans he has to ensure that financial allocations under the home energy efficiency scheme from 1993–94 relate to local need rather than the previous performance of a network installer.
§ Mr. MacleanEligibility for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme depends upon receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit—council tax benefit from 1 April 1993—or disability working allowance. In addition the property must meet certain criteria concerning both existing insulation and whether or not grant has been paid for similar work under previous schemes. It is not possible to estimate the numbers that might be eligible in a particular area at a particular time.
The present allocation system takes into account the proven ability of an installer to carry out work, thus avoiding sterilisation of funds. For listed contractors, allocations are intended to ensure that similar levels of funding are available in each area.
§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 11 December 1992,Official Report,column 836,how he accounts for the lower take-up of home energy efficiency grants in the London area; and what measures he proposes to resolve the situation.
§ Mr. MacleanI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 4 March 1993 at column 263.