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Rev. Martin Smyth (Belfast, South) (UUP): While I agree that we should get the facts, does the Minister agree that, in the past, newspapers have rushed speedily into print with specious claims? One distinguished officer of the British Army, Colonel Tim Collins, was slurred but ultimately cleared. Given that some people have another agenda in the far east, Afghanistan and other places, Parliament and all our people must bear in mind the dangers that beset our troops.
Did the editor of the Daily Mirror approach the Ministry of Defence to say that the treatment of Iraqi prisoners had been brought to his attention and to ask for comment or did he publish without verification or notice? Should not we all keep quiet until investigations show what really happened?
Mr. Ingram: The hon. Gentleman has rightly referred to a previous case, and I am sure that other right hon. and hon. Members could enumerate other examples of the media and others rushing to judgment before they have established the true facts of the matter involved. I do not think that this should be a "knock-the-press" day, or that we should knock the press in this statement and the question and answer session thereafter. The Mirror notified the Department early on Friday that it was going to publish the photograph. We did, therefore, have notice, but I understand that the photograph might have been in the newspaper's possession for some time. We did not have a lot of notice, and that is why, when we did get the information, we acted so promptly; I think that it is right that we did so.
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst):
Order. We must now move on; I have time-limited business to protect.
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Domestic Energy Efficiency
4.15 pm
Mr. Jim Cunningham (Coventry, South) (Lab): I beg to move,
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for energy efficiency in relation to fuel poverty and social housing.
The Bill will ensure that all agencies involved in the provision of social housing, both public and private, work towards the elimination of fuel poverty, particularly in the social and private housing sectors. It will also ensure that they provide information about effective insulation and the most efficient heating systems. This can be achieved in a number of ways. For example, proposals have been made to ensure that the new requirements under building regulations in the Government's Housing Bill apply to social housing as well as to the private sector.
It is not my intention to substitute my Bill for the Government's Bill. My Bill will try to introduce a number of remedies that the Government could support and incorporate into any future legislation. It must be recognised that the Government have achieved a great deal on fuel poverty. Their fuel poverty strategy, published in November 2001, sets out policies for ending fuel poverty in vulnerable households by the target date of 2010.
In the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' UK fuel poverty strategy report for 2004, the Government have recognised that the elimination of fuel poverty remains one of their core objectives. They are committed to working with energy suppliers and organisations to focus on assisting the neediest households. This is the Government's second report on fuel poverty, and there are notable signs of progress being made. The estimated figures for 2003 show a further drop in the number of households in fuel poverty. The number of households in the UK estimated to be in fuel poverty in 2002 fell to about 2.25 million from about 3 million in 2001. Although it is evident that the Government have made progress on fuel poverty, more can be accomplished. A household that needs to spend more than 10 per cent. of its income on household fuel can be defined as suffering from fuel poverty. That includes maintaining a satisfactory heating regime.
Fuel poverty is caused by a variety of factors, such as the energy efficiency of a home, fuel costs and household income. It can lead to damaged health, especially for disabled or elderly people and those suffering from long-term illness. The Government have a legal obligation to end fuel poverty by a specific target date.
Various organisations need to be thanked for their commitment to the elimination of fuel poverty and for their recommendations on tackling this complex issue. The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group has made specific recommendations to the Government on improving the energy efficiency of homes and appliances, extensions to
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the successful schemes on energy to increase benefit take-up, and the use of the social fund to encourage the purchase of energy efficiency appliances instead of extremely inefficient appliances. Peter Lehmann, the chair of the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, has warned:
"Business as usual will not make sufficient inroads to remove fuel poverty and we hope that the Government takes our recommendations on board."
An estimated 1.4 million vulnerable households in England—many containing older people—lived in fuel poverty in 2001, and could not afford sufficient warmth to ensure their health and comfort, due to a combination of poor housing, inefficient heating and low income. Peter Lehmann recommends a package of insulation and energy-saving light bulbs to enable householders to keep warm without extra cost or to save £100 a year on their fuel bill. That is a considerable sum when the income of a single pensioner on benefit can be as low as £5,500 per annum.
The Carbon Trust is another organisation that has maintained a commitment to drag forward the UK's transition to a low carbon emission economy. Its programme, "Action Energy", promotes energy efficiency. The trust has estimated that 2.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide was saved in 2002 as a result of its programmes. Following consideration of the various recommendations made by those organisations, my Bill will contain specific inspections and assessment of boilers and heating and cooling installations; energy certificates to establish general frameworks for calculating and integrating energy performances; the implementation of partnership programmes between health care professionals, local energy suppliers and social care professionals to identify those suffering from fuel poverty; and the development of standards for housing stock as well as the promotion of consumer awareness and demand for sustainable energy homes. Lastly, it will also contain a proposal to eradicate fuel poverty for all social tenants by requiring landlords to set, and work towards, achieving energy-efficient standards at an affordable cost.
I recognise that the Government have done much to eliminate fuel poverty, but much more needs to be done if we are to eradicate fuel poverty and achieve the Government's targets. For those reasons, I propose to introduce a Bill and ask for the support of the House for the proposals that I have outlined.
Question put and agreed to.
Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. John Lyons, Mr. Brian H. Donohoe, Andy King, Mr. Bill Olner, Mr. Brian Jenkins and Mr. Jim Cunningham.
Mr. Jim Cunningham accordingly presented a Bill to make provision for energy efficiency in relation to fuel poverty and social housing: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 16 July, and to be printed [Bill 100].
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4 May 2004 : Column 1225
Orders of the Day
Scottish Parliament (Constituencies) Bill
Considered in Committee.
[Relevant documents: The First Report from the Scottish Affairs Committee, Session 2003–04, HC 77, on the Coincidence of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in Scotland and the Consequences of Change, and the Government's response thereto, and the First Special Report from the Scottish Affairs Committee, Session 2003–04, HC 514.]
[Sir Alan Haselhurst in the Chair]
Clause 1
Mr. Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale) (Lab): I beg to move amendment No. 8, in clause 1, page 1, leave out lines 5 to 11.
The Chairman of Ways and Means (Sir Alan Haselhurst): With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:
New clause 1—Commencement (No.1)—
'(1) The provisions of this Act shall come into force by order of the Secretary of State for Scotland.
(2) The Secretary of State shall not make an order under subsection (1) until the appropriate date of the commencement of section 16 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.'.
Mr. Hood: Mr. Haselhurst, I rise to—
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