§ Norman BakerTo ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2004,Official Report, column 236W, on electricity consumption, what factors underlie the increase in consumption between 1997 and 2003; and what steps the commission is taking to reduce electricity consumption. [169864]
§ Sir Archy KirkwoodUnderlying factors include the increase in size of the Parliamentary Estate, increased use of office equipment and improvements in environmental controls, such as ventilation, air extraction and air-conditioning, to meet new1488W regulations. Energy awareness and good housekeeping are regularly promoted and the estate is maintained to a high standard; for example the main Palace chillers were replaced recently with modern high efficiency plant.