§ 29. Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the investment programmes for the Scottish Electricity Boards, in the light of the Government initiatives to accelerate spending in the public sector.
§ Mr. YoungerInvestment by both Boards has been accelerated to provide more employment. For 1972–73 the approved programmes amount to £67.4 1276 million for the South Board and £39 million for the North Board; and for 1973–74 the provisionally approved figures are £51.1 million and £42.5 million respectively.
§ Mr. DouglasI am grateful for the figures and note the general trend. Can the Minister assure us that the supply of electricity will be in harmony with the demand for it, in view of the industrial expansion we need? Can he give us a specific answer—I know that my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Robert Hughes) has a Question down about this—on the possibilities of accelerating the expansion of the nuclear power station at Stake Ness?
§ Mr. YoungerThe joint generating studies of the two Scottish Boards take into account all the expected needs of the Scottish economy. I am confident that it will be possible to meet them, within these investment programmes. The new station in the North of Scotland cannot be brought forward any further until a definite decision is made on what type of station is most suitable. The Government are pressing on as quickly as they can with this most important and difficult study.
§ Sir J. GilmourBearing in mind the large increase in coal-fired power stations arranged by the last Conservative Government, what review is my hon. Friend now carrying out, in view of the settlement of the miners' strike, on the use of coal for generating electricity?
§ Mr. YoungerThe question of the type of fuel best suited to maintain a balance in our power supplies in Scotland is one we keep under review the whole time. We shall continue the review in the general interests of seeing that there is a proper balance of the fuel supplies suitable to electricity boards and to the public. The supply situation looks a little more optimistic now. My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry is shortly to make a statement giving the latest position.