§ Mr. Bruce GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to report to Parliament on activities by energy conservation authorities under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [80719]
§ Mr. MeacherI have today published a report covering activity in England under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) as at the end of 1998. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library of the House.
81WLocal authorities were identified as crucial to the success of the Home Energy Conservation Act. Some authorities have achieved good results—but many need to do much more. Local authorities' reports point to an improvement of some 2% to 2,% in the energy efficiency of residential accommodation over the two years to the end of March 1998. This is a useful initial step, but progress is patchy, with too many areas reporting no improvement at all. Local authorities need to make faster progress towards achieving the potential they have identified.