asked the Secretary of State for Energy which theatre groups he has sponsored over the past year to spread the message to schools about the need for the efficient use of energy; what has been the cost to date of sponsoring these groups; what information he has as to the number of children who have seen the performances; how he assesses the effectiveness of these performances; what are his future plans for sponsoring such groups; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has sponsored four such theatre groups so far this academic year who have performed to over 120,000 children. It is planned to tour at least three groups around United Kingdom schools during the autumn term 1985 to coincide with the production of new schools materials covering many aspects of energy.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, be reference to the criteria set out in the answer of 1 April, Official Report, column 902, he will indicate the improvement in energy efficiency achieved in the United Kingdom over the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.

Preliminary analysis indicates that the United Kingdom's energy efficiency improved by about 3 per cent. during 1984, the latest period for which figures are available.