2.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the effect of the top limit of 90 per cent. of the grant available under the home energy efficiency scheme, especially to households in the lowest income brackets.
A number of representations have been received about the 90 per cent. limit as part of the consultation process. These are currently being considered.
8.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to promote energy efficiency in business and industry.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to promote energy efficiency in business and industry.
The Energy Efficiency Office encourages the adoption of energy efficiency measures in the home and the workplace, through a comprehensive marketing strategy at national and regional levels. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State is currently hosting a series of seminars for key energy users throughout the country.
28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many homes he expects to be provided with energy conservation improvements via the home energy efficiency scheme in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom as a whole in the next financial year.
65.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the number of homes he expects to be provided with energy efficiency improvements via the home energy efficiency scheme in the next financial year.
The home energy efficiency scheme will increase the take-up of basic insulation measures in low-income households. Final targets for the number of homes to be treated will be set following finalisation of the details of the scheme in the light of the consultation process.
53.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what calculations his Department has made of the potential reduction in greenhouse gases which would result from the improved thermal efficiency achievable by industrial, commercial and city combined heat and power; and if he has any plans to provide stronger market signals.
"An Evaluation of Energy Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions", published as energy paper No. 58 estimated that growth in CHP could, based on plausible assumptions, lead to reductions of 5 to 10 per cent. of United Kingdom carbon dioxide emissions.Interest in CHP is already increasing rapidly in response to direct market signals. These are supplemented by my Department's encouragement of the use of combined heat and power through its best practice programme and by the industry's own marketing initiative, under the auspices of the Combined Heat and Power Association.
63.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to ensure Government Departments practise greater energy efficiency.
Since the details of a campaign to promote energy efficiency within Government Departments were announced on 20 July 1989, Ministers with special responsibility for departmental energy use have met three times to discuss progress towards the Government's aim of achieving savings rising to £45 million per annum—15 per cent. of the current bill—over five years. The first report on the campaign will be published shortly.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much was invested in improving the energy efficiency of his Department in the latest available year.
Investment in items expected to make a significant contribution to the energy efficiency of the new headquarters building into which my Department moved in September 1989 is estimated by the Property Services Agency to have cost around £1 million. It includes an up-to-date electronic building energy management system, and additional air conditioning and secondary glazing beyond that specified by the developer.