§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he proposes in respect of dwellings identified by the English house condition survey as not physically capable of being made energy efficient at reasonable cost; and if he will make a statement; [16580]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure the replacement of the least energy-efficient housing stock; and if he will make a statement. [16613]
§ Mr. ClappisonIt is the responsibility of housing authorities and other owners to determine whether replacement is the best course of action for the least energy-efficient housing stock, having regard to its efficiency and other physical and social factors. However, the survey indicates that for most dwellings, including many of those not capable of being brought up to current building regulation standards, improvement to a more moderate level of energy efficiency is likely to be the most cost-effective course.