HC Deb 05 February 1969 vol 777 cc376-7
3. Mr. Eadie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the capital cost of the Hunterston B nuclear power station, including the initial fuel charge and of the cost per unit sent out after allowing for interest during construction.

The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Dr. J. Dickson Mabon)

There has been no significant change from the figures which were given in reply to Questions from my hon. Friend on 22nd January, 1968, and 26th June, 1968. Interest during construction, estimated at £15 million, was allowed for in the estimated unit cost.—[Vol. 757, c. 52; Vol. 767, c. 84.]

Mr. Eadie

Is my hon. Friend aware that the miners have consistently argued that the country has been deceived into thinking that the coal industry had to contract because coal was too dear? Before he refers to previous Answers, will he agree that, on the basis of costs and other facts before the House, the case is made for an independent investigation into the cost of alternative fuels?

Dr. Mabon

I sympathise with my hon. Friend, but I do not accept that assertion. We have tried very hard in Questions to meet every factual point which he has endeavoured to make, for example, on the unit costs which we calculated according to the ground rules specified in my hon. Friend's Question of 22nd January, assuming a long-term interest rate of 7½ per cent. I am willing to revise the figures if he wishes to argue the case on an 8 per cent. long-term rate and puts a Question down to that effect.