§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the energy report relating to the 1996 English House Condition Survey; and if he will make a statement. [2212]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe expect to publish detailed energy findings from the 1996 English House Condition Survey by Autumn 1998. However, some information on heating facilities and thermal insulation, will be included in the main report of this survey, scheduled for publication before the end of this year.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes following the report of the findings of the energy survey contained within the 1991 English House Condition Survey. [2211]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Government is committed to improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock revealed by the 1991 English House Condition Survey. Despite existing provisions to promote energy efficiency and to improve the stock—through the Home Energy Conservation Act, the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, the work of the Energy Saving Trust and the Department's best practice programme and through private sector renovation grants and the housing renewal programmes of local authorities and housing associations, there is still a substantial backlog of housing in poor condition and with unsatisfactory energy efficiency characteristics. The Government is reviewing policies to achieve more effective action to remedy sub-standard and energy inefficient housing. New Supplementary Credit Approvals issued as a result of the Capital Receipts' initiative will allow local authorities to proceed more quickly with action to tackle these problems to the extent that they fit with local priorities.