asked Her Majesty's Government:
What promotional work they are undertaking to publicise the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2; and, in particular, how they are bringing the scheme to the attention of housing associations, local government and the Ministry of Defence. [HL3455]
The Department of Trade and Industry has ensured that relevant officials across government, including in the Ministry of Defence, are fully aware of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2. This has been achieved, in particular, through communication through the Office of Government Commerce's regular meetings of procurement representatives from different departments. We have also informed Regional Development Agencies and the Local Government Association about the existence of the programme. We have also directly contacted the National Housing Federation, a representative body for housing associations in England, and the Development Trusts Association, a representative body of community regeneration organisations across the UK.
The programme manager, BRE, has created a website with relevant information and links, distributed flyers at relevant events, released information to networks of contacts focused on carbon and energy efficiency within local authorities, health services, higher education and the government estate and included information about the programme in relevant publications and press releases. Framework suppliers have also been encouraged to undertake their own promotional work of the programme in the course of their usual business.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 it is acceptable, in order for the end user to receive a grant, for that end user to place an order directly with an installer rather than a framework supplier, as long as the installer uses the equipment of an approved framework supplier. [HL3456]
Customers applying to receive a grant for a microgeneration technology installation under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 must place orders through and enter a contract with a framework supplier. The framework supplier may then subcontract the fulfilment of that order to an installer.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How long on average it takes to approve grant applications under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2. [HL3457]
Grant applications received up to 27 April 2007 under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 have taken an average of five working days to process.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many applications have been received under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 since its inception. [HL3458]
At 27 April 2007, 51applications had been received under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2.