To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to improve the speed of performance, technical competence and overall efficiency of Warm Front and Warm Front contractors; and if he will make a statement. (224070)

[holding answer 17 September 2008]: DEFRA works very closely with eaga plc regarding the delivery of the scheme to ensure that clients receive an efficient and effective service. In addition, the Department has a contract with independent quality assessors who monitor quality issues and report on a regular basis to the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will direct the White Young Green review team and representatives of his Department to meet representatives of J and L National Energy Saver Ltd to discuss the evidence submitted by that company relating to its suspension from the Warm Front 2 scheme and to produce a supplementary report; if he will place in the Library a copy of the White Young Green report on the suspension of J and L National Energy Saver Ltd from the Warm Front 2 scheme; and if he will make a statement. (224261)

[holding answer 17 September 2008]: Owing to the ongoing legal proceedings, I am unable to comment on J and L National Energy Saver Ltd's suspension from the Warm Front Scheme.

I can confirm that I have no plans to place a copy of the original White Young Green report in the Library, although it is available from DEFRA upon request.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness, (b) value for money and (c) compliance with open tender requirements of the establishment by Eaga of a co-venture with Ideal Boilers to undertake annual service visits on behalf of Eaga and the Warm Front 2 scheme; and if he will make a statement. (224263)

[holding answer 17 September 2008]: As part of the open, audited and fully competitive tendering process for Warm Front, DEFRA ensured that the management of the scheme, including provision of aftercare services, provided value for money and complied with tender requirements.

All aspects of management of the Scheme, including provision of aftercare services, is subject to regular audits by DEFRA's independent quality assessors to ensure it is providing an effective service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) accordance with the principles of natural justice of the procedures for terminating contracts of Warm Front 2 scheme sub-contractors; what the procedures are; and what notice is required to be given. (224264)

[holding answer 17 September 2008]: The terms of termination are defined in the contract between eaga plc and Warm Front contracted installers, which are agreed prior to their acceptance to work on the scheme.

These terms are a private agreement between eaga plc and potential Warm Front sub-contractors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures were followed by (a) his Department, (b) White Young Green and (c) Eaga in (i) the suspension of J and L National Energy Saver Ltd from the Warm Front 2 scheme and (ii) the investigation and review of that suspension, with particular reference to consideration of representations from that company; what the reasons were for that suspension; and if he will make a statement. (224265)

[holding answer 17 September 2008]: DEFRA has looked into the dispute between eaga plc and J and L heating, both in terms of the reasons for the action taken and the procedures followed by the scheme manager, eaga plc. This report has been provided to J and L National Energy Saver Ltd and is available from DEFRA upon request.

DEFRA commissioned a further review, in light of additional information provided by the company. However, it was found that this information did not alter the conclusions of the original report.