§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received regarding the specification of works under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; and if she will make a statement. [38305]
§ Mr. MeacherHEES measures are installed to the requirements of two technical specifications: one for insulation the other for heating. The scheme uses a system of heating packs based on six property types rather than individually designed heating systems.
The pack approach has been designed to meet the heating industry's codes of practice. The design process was carried out for my Department by Advantica, Gas and Research Technology Centre (a commercial arm of British Gas). In designing the heating packs Advantica took into account statistical data from the 1996 English House Condition Survey, in particular data relating to dwellings occupied by the over-60s on low-income.
Both scheme managers have received comments on the scope of the scheme and its specifications, which we continue to keep under review.