Clause 41 - Further provision about domestic energy efficiency regulations: England and Wales

Part of Energy Bill [Lords] – in a Public Bill Committee at 4:15 pm on 14 June 2011.

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Photo of Graham Jones Graham Jones Opposition Assistant Whip (Commons) 4:15, 14 June 2011

The Minister referred to taking powers away from local authorities. Will the Minister clarify who will police the scheme if the clause is removed? Tenants will be able to go to a tribunal, and the local authority will be able to take civil court action, which may lead to a fine of up to £5,000, but there is a move away from local authorities. Local authority environmental health officers currently police category 1 hazards under the housing health and safety rating scheme. That pretty much dovetails with the F and G category in the green deal, so there could be duplication if that is moved away from the local authority. It seems obvious to me that responsibility for policing the scheme must sit with local authorities, as they already have experience of the housing health and safety rating scheme, through environmental health officers. Will the Minister clarify those points?