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Energy Bill

I support this amendment. It is the other side of what we have been discussing. We have got to change our habits. I am not sure that I mind too much that there is not legislation about what we do about switching off the lights, but we have to change habits and fashion. The high cost of fuel will change our habits a bit. People are beginning to think about it. The noble Lord, Lord Palmer, spoke about the Library, which reminded me of a point I want to make. In advocating fuel efficiency, I hope the Government will not go too far on the type of electric light bulbs we use. Those of us who are a bit older, whose sight is suffering from years of use, need a bright light to read. Our Library now has low-efficiency light bulbs. I cannot read in the evening. I have nothing wrong with my sight, except Anno Domini, but I cannot read in the Library unless I am near the window and, of course, as the evening goes on, it gets dark. As we have a great many older people in our population, it is important not to force them to read with too low a level of light. I hope the Government are not going to go in that direction. One European country has made it compulsory—I think it is Germany—and I was sorry to see that. It is a mistake. However, we must alter our habits. We must improve on only 40 per cent of houses being insulated. The further north in the country, the more important that is. There is no question that if one lives further north, or over the border, as I do, there is a difference in temperature and the amount of fuel one uses throughout the winter compared with down here. Insulation in northern parts is even more crucial, and people should be made aware of it.