asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what Scottish experiments or studies have been made into energy conservation and low energy housing; and if he will introduce a systematic national programme for the introduction of better-insulated housing.

Experiments and studies currently being undertaken under the sponsorship of my Department are:

1. A user-reaction study of different heating systems in public sector housing to assess effectiveness, ease-of-use, comfort and running costs:

2. An analysis of fuel consumption and running costs in houses at Hamilton, Whitburn and Bo'ness which are thermally insulated to a standard twice that required by the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations:

3. A joint pilot study by Edinburgh University and the Scottish Special Housing Association of the thermal performance of the Association's standard house types.

Higher mandatory standards of thermal insulation for new houses were introduced in the Building Standards (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1975. Future policy and guidance will take account of the studies I have described.The Department of Energy Circular 1/76, which was prepared in conjunction with the Scottish Office, drew attention to the importance of energy conservation in houses.