HC Deb 01 May 1963 vol 676 cc1063-4
18. Mr. Millan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schemes of hydro-electric generation proposed by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board are awaiting authorisation.

Mr. Noble

Four schemes have been published by the Board. Objections have been lodged by various parties against three of these, and the statutory objection period for the fourth has not yet expired. Statutory inquiries will therefore be necessary before three of them can be authorised and may be necessary in the case of the fourth.

Mr. Millan

When will the Secretary of State take some action on these schemes? Does not his continued inaction coupled with the delay while the Mackenzie Committee was sitting completely frustrate hydro-electric development and, incidentally, is it not causing considerable unemployment in the Highlands among people who were previously employed on construction?

Mr. Noble

As I have said on several occasions in the House, I realise the urgency, but it is even more important to get the answer right.

Mr. John MacLeod

Will my right hon. Friend confirm what is said by the Hydro-Electric Board, that these schemes which have been published have been proved more economical than the most modern thermal scheme? If that is so, should not we be getting on with this work? As I understand it, the Board is using there the yardstick proposed by the Mackenzie Report.

Mr. Noble

I think that my hon. Friend is confusing the Mackenzie Committee's recommendations on costs, because the generating cost of the most recent thermal station which the South of Scotland Board is building has not yet been published.

Mr. Ross

Will the Secretary of State depart for the hills of Argyll and think this question over in relation to his rights and responsibilities for the Highland areas? Is he aware that already, according to the Inverness Courier last week, it has been said that the bare unvarnished truth is that the right hon. Gentleman is prepared to sell the pass?

Mr. Noble

I imagine that the Inverness Courier will not have failed to notice that a very large pulp mill is coming within its area.