§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many energy consultants were employed by the national health service in each of the last five years; and what was the energy bill for the national health service in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. SackvilleInformation on the number of energy consultants employed in the national health service is not available centrally. I understand that individual national health service trusts and health authorities have made appointments of this kind.
Expenditure on energy by national health service trusts and health authorities is shown in the table.
Total expenditure on energy by national health service trusts and health authorities Year £ thousands 1988–89 210,374 1989–90 219,615 1990–91 233,884 1991–92 270,141 1992–93 278,750 Source:
1. Annual accounts and financial returns of district, regional and special health authorities.
2. Annual financial returns of national health service trusts, 1991–92 and 1992–93.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards her target for reducing energy consumption in the national health service over the five years from 1991–92.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe target for reducing energy consumption in the national health service applies to the five years from April 1991. In the first two years, the national health service achieved a reduction in energy consumption of 7.1 per cent. which is the latest period for596W which information is available. Plans for the subsequent three years indicate that the national health service will meet the overall reduction of 15 per cent.