Mr. John Mullins:

I shall give an example of where EIB financing would be important. We have significant experience of EIB financing. Deputy McLellan is aware of the Whitegate power plant which was built in her constituency. A total of 50% of the financing for it was provided by the EIB. Our wind farms, which are now being built in six different locations across the country are also now partially financed by the EIB. We would view the national leakage programme as a capital programme that would qualify for EIB financing and we would hope to put that forward for European funding at appropriate rates. We have experience of dealing with the European Investment Bank. We are doing it as we speak in terms of drawing down loans for wind farms.

To return to the 500,000 homes that were mentioned, frankly, we have not seen empirical evidence in any shape or form that can confirm the number of homes that could be metered. At the end of a survey process we will be able to provide numbers. We will store the information on a geo-directory database. We will be able to provide a database of what we can do and what we cannot do. In terms of dispatching the metering arrangements we will have to ensure the contractor can do its work. We are drawing up specifications for the work and we will know exactly which homes will qualify for meters. We will come back to the committee on that at an appropriate time.

On holiday homes, if a home is used a lot in the summer time-----