HC Deb 30 June 1953 vol 517 cc177-9
7. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the anticipated dates of commencement and completion for the hydro-electric works embodied in the Moriston Project, No. 23a Constructional Scheme referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No. 23a) Confirmation Order, 1953; the aggregate consumption of cement, bricks, steel, cast-iron and timber for all the works described in the Explanatory Memorandum, Command Paper No. 8854; and what economy in scarce materials has been achieved by revision of the Board's Constructional Scheme No. 23 (Moriston Project) compared with the revised scheme No. 23a.

Mr. J. Stuart

I am informed by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board that they hope to start construction of the works embodied in Moriston Project No. 23a (Constructional Scheme) next year and to complete them in about four to five years time. The Board estimate that the works will require 15,000 tons of cement, 2,500 tons of steel and 300 standards of timber. The use of bricks and cast iron will be negligible. An estimated saving of 25,000 tons of cement and 1,400 tons of steel will be achieved by carrying out the revised Constructional Scheme No. 23a instead of Constructional Scheme No. 23.

8. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the anticipated load factor of the hydro-electric works embodied in the revised Moriston Project, No. 23a Constructional Scheme; what is the installed capacity in megawatts of this scheme, MWI; and the estimated coal economy equivalent based on that load factor and a conversion rate of 1.31 lb. of coal per unit of electricity generated, generally, in accord with the average conversion rate in 1952 of British Electricity Authority power stations.

Mr. J. Stuart

I am informed by the Board that the average annual load factor of the Hydro-Electric works embodied in the revised Moriston Project is 43½ per cent. The installed capacity is 56 megawatts and the expected saving in coal at a conversion rate of 1.31 lb. of coal per unit of electricity generated will be about 125,000 tons a year.

Mr. Nabarro

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in view of the relatively low load factor of this project it would be advisable to give early consideration to the many recommendations made by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board that early electrification of the Perth-Inverness railway line and other railway lines should be carried out with a view to improving the utilisation of capital in these very costly schemes?

Mr. Stuart

I think my not original reply to the supplementary question would be that I should like notice of that.

Mr. Carmichael

When the right hon. Gentleman answers the next Question, will he consider the possibility of issuing a White Paper on these Questions?

9. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cost per megawatt installed, £/MWI, respectively, including and excluding capital costs in respect of distribution facilities, for both the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's Constructional Scheme No. 23 (Moriston Project) and the revised Scheme No. 23a, the latter as described in the explanatory memorandum, Command Paper 8854, accompanying S.I., No. 931, laid before Parliament on 9th June, 1953.

Mr. J. Stuart

I am informed by the Hydro-Electric Board that the estimated capital cost per megawatt installed of Constructional Scheme No. 23 is £50,000 at present day prices and that the cost of the project as amended by Constructional Scheme No. 23a is £232,000. If the cost of transmitting the power to the Board's grid is included the estimated capital costs per megawatt installed of the two schemes are £260,000 and £242,000.

Mr. John MacLeod

Now that my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) has approved of Highland railways being electrified, can my right hon. Friend say that he now agrees that the previous projects of the Hydro-Electric Board were a good thing?

Mr. Stuart

I agree that if we are to electrify a railway we should have to have something with which to electrify it.

Mr. Nabarro

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those considerations are merely directed to making a somewhat poor scheme rather better?