To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received concerning the home energy efficiency scheme.

My Department received a large number of responses to the consultation paper published earlier this year from both voluntary and commercial organisations. It also received a number of letters from interested individuals, including Members of Parliament, and my right hon. Friend the former Minister of State for Energy met the director of Neighbourhood Energy Action and representatives of relevant trade associations before details of the scheme were finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department will take to publicise the home energy efficiency scheme.

The administering agency for the home energy efficiency scheme will agree arrangements for publicity on the scheme with my department. It is in that agency's own financial interests to ensure that take-up of the scheme fully utilises the resources available for grants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, when he expects to be in a position to publish details of the home energy efficiency scheme.

Regulations governing the operation of the home energy efficiency scheme were laid on 3 September 1990, and the award of the contract for the administration of the scheme to Neighbourhood Energy Action was announced on 1 October.