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Energy Efficiency (S&T Report)

My Lords, I cannot do so tonight, nor shall I try to. I have not been able to answer all the many points that have been raised. I hope that noble Lords will at least think that we have presented a picture of widespread activity and that we have taken action to respond to at least some of the committee’s recommendations. I can promise that we will continue to reflect on, look at and use the report, which contains an impressive wealth of evidence. I want to emphasise that this year’s climate change programme is by no means the last word on energy efficiency. The energy review is looking at the UK’s energy framework in the medium to long term, and the review team is looking at options to achieve additional energy savings. Where there are issues of public expenditure—on research, for example—the forthcoming comprehensive spending review is the appropriate vehicle for our response. Those reviews will give further opportunities for the Government to strengthen the current energy efficiency policy package. It will come as no surprise to the House to hear me say that I refute the attacks on the Government’s performance in this field. The examples I have given and the other examples generously given by noble Lords in this debate show that the Government take this issue extremely seriously and have many plans of action in place. That does not prevent me thanking the noble Baroness again for introducing this debate and thanking her committee for its report.