Examination of Witnesses (Questions 40
- 42)
WEDNESDAY 8 DECEMBER 2004
PROFESSOR SIR
DAVID KING
Q40 Alan Simpson: I am not disputing
that, it is just that it seems to me that I am having difficulty
pushing you beyond fiscal processes. For instance, it seems to
me that one of the realities that we have to face in government
is that probably 80% of the population today will live their lives
in 80% of the existing housing stock today, so what we do in terms
of new building standards is in the other percentage; it is what
we do with the existing stock. We know, for instance that the
least thermally efficient properties are the privately rented,
multiple-occupancy properties in relation to which we are beginning
to introduce an approach to licensing. Does it not make sense
to then say you have to set thermal efficiency standards that
would apply to the right to have a licence? Would it not mean,
in addition to that, that in the same way that we have energy-ratings
for white goods that you have energy-ratings as part of a property
portfolio so that, at the very least, people are able to judge
the thermal efficiency of properties they are renting or leasing
or buying? Have we not got to go into that—that sets the
measurement of our improvements in thermal efficiency—if
we want to demonstrate thermal efficiency gains?
Professor Sir David King: It is
all a question of leading and having the public with you in this
route. I think any government would be concerned about stepping
out too far from where the public want to be at any point in time,
and so I think that, as this whole issue becomes more of an issue
of public concern, there will be more acceptance of the kind of
measure that you are talking about.
Q41 Chairman: Can I conclude with
one final request, if you are able to help us? The question of
transport and aviation has been a theme that has woven its way
through a number of our exchanges and you have also put a strong
emphasis on the need to further develop fiscal measures as a way
of achieving some of the objectives to which you have referred.
What we are lacking is an indication of some of the elasticities
that are involved in air travel. If there is any work that you
know of to which you might be able to direct us to give us a better
understanding of the economics of air travel and the trade-offs
that would occur if by whatever fiscal measure you chose you put
the price of it up, that would be exceedingly helpful to us.
Professor Sir David King: There
is a good challenge. Can I correct one point I apparently mistakenly
made earlier on, which is that I referred to the COP 10 meeting
that is taking place now as being in Brazil. It is not. It is
in Buenos Aires in Argentina.
Q42 Chairman: We were just off, but
you have saved us going to the wrong place. It is very kind of
you to save us that difficult journey. On behalf of the Committee
can I thank you, as always, for the clarity and candour of what
you have said. If there are any further thoughts in addition to
the ones that we have specifically asked for that you would like
to contribute in the light of our questioning, we would, as always,
be delighted to hear from you. Thank you very much indeed for
coming and answering our questions.
Professor Sir David King: Thank
you.
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