To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures are being taken to alert builders erecting or converting homes of the need to conserve energy; and whether he intends to introduce any regulations to ensure that builders respond to such needs.

The Building Regulations 1985 already include requirements relating to energy conservation measures in new buildings and extensions. The Building Regulations (Amendment) Regulations 1989, which are due to come into force on 1 April, will make the existing requirements more stringent, and the changes have been widely publicised.