To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department's definition is of a zero carbon residential dwelling. (153869)

As set out in "Building a Greener Future: Policy Statement", a zero carbon home means that, over a year, the net carbon emissions from all energy use in the home would be zero. This would include energy use from cooking, washing and electronic appliances as well as space heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and hot water.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment (a) her Department and (b) its agencies have made of the effect on construction costs of building a zero-carbon home. (155689)

A regulatory impact assessment, which sets out the range of estimated costs associated with the zero carbon homes policy, as set out in Building a Greener Future Policy Statement, was published on 23 July 2007 and is available on the Department's website.