Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the capacity of his Department's buildings for the micro-generation of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement.

1 Horse Guards Road, London SW1 is the Treasury’s only freehold building. The building is Grade 2* listed, situated very close to Parliament and many other buildings of historic and architectural importance.

Of the three main renewable sources – solar, wind and water – from which energy can be micro-generated, only solar might be considered appropriate in this location.

Accordingly and in response to a ministerial initiative in February 2014, a brief study, in consultation with the PFI partner and FM provider, was carried out to assess the viability of solar photo-voltaic (PV) arrays on the building. The conclusion was that the clear roof and ground areas fall substantially short of the space required for viable arrays and the necessity of obtaining Listed Building Consent represents a formidable barrier.