Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Spencer Excerpts

Thursday 16th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Chris Huhne]

The hon. Gentleman knows that the market has always been composed of different views. He is citing one particular institution’s view, but that is not the common view of other investors in the City. The funds will be forthcoming and we will describe the incentives that we are putting in place for the low-carbon future that we want in the statement later today.

[Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con)]

21. What plans he has to meet representatives of the heating industry to discuss the proposed green deal for energy efficiency.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)]

I have recently met heating industry representatives and have invited the heating and hot water taskforce and the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council to be represented on the green deal stakeholder forums that I have established. I want the whole industry to be actively engaged with us on the green deal.

[Mr Spencer]

I am grateful to the Minister for his response. I was interested to hear his response to the question from the hon. Member for St Helens North (Mr Watts) on the consideration of glazing in the green deal. Will the Minister confirm that he will consider the replacement of old and inefficient heating systems in the green deal?

[Gregory Barker]

There will certainly be scope for heating systems to be included in the green deal. We want the green deal to be as technology-inclusive as possible, and we want to drive innovation. Any energy efficiency measure that costs less to install than it pays back over a specified period will be eligible. That includes heating measures.