§ Mr. HansonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by region the current waiting list times and numbers for schemes under the home energy efficiency scheme; what additional steps he intends to take to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesThe average waiting times by region for work under the home energy efficiency scheme, based on information supplied by installers appointed by the energy action grants agency, are set out in the table. It is not possible to provide a regional breakdown of the numbers of householders waiting for HEES work to be done, because the practice of installers in recording information about their clients, who contact them directly, varies. However EAGA estimates that, nationally, about 100,000 householders are waiting. My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor has announced that an extra £30 million will be allocated to the home energy efficiency scheme in each of the next three years. This will bring the total budget for the scheme to more than £100 million a year—a 185 per cent. increase on the 1993–94 allocation. This will enable 600,000 homes a year to be treated.
Country Region Waiting time (weeks) Wales 11 Scotland 6 England London 10 South West 13 South East 10 North East 16 North West 10 West Midlands 10 East Midlands 14 Yorkshire and Humberside 13