§ Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when consultations on the energy efficiency section of the building regulations began; when the closing date for responses was set; and what the expected implementation date of the new or revised regulations will be in England and Wales. [145432]
§ Mr. RaynsfordConsultations on proposals for amendments to the energy efficiency provisions in the building regulations began when they were published on 15 June last year, and the closing date for responses was 29 September. The proposals are now being reconsidered by officials in my Department in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee in the light of the excellent and extensive response. I expect to be able to make the first stage amendments in the summer, and to bring these into force some six months later.