§ 88. Mr. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement upon reductions of capital expenditure in each of the next five years by, respectively, the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, and the South of Scotland Electricity Board,
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SCHEMES UNDER CONSTRUCTION No. Scheme Date of commencement Estimated date of completion Estimated cost at time of confirmation by Secretary of State* Estimated cost, November 1955 £'000 £'000 2 Tummel-Garry and Gairloch 1945 1956 6,450 19,286 2A Tummel-Garry Amendments 1955 1957 102 102 7 Mullardoch-Fasnakyle-Affric 1947 1955 4,800 10,250 12 Shira 1948 1957 3,150 8,250 13 Storr Lochs 1949 1956 250 720 16 Glascamoch-Luichart-Torr Achilty 1950 1957 8,700 19,400 18 Lawers 1951 1956 2,850 5,793 23 Moriston 1952 1958 13,000 14,000 23A Moriston Amendments 24 Garry 1951 1956 4,850 9,556 25 Breadalbane 1953 1960 21,500 21,500 25A Breadalbane Amendments 27 Allt-na-Lairige 1953 1956 620 1,450 29 Orrin 1955 1959 4,550 4,750 32 Loch Shin 1954 1959 8,800 9,000 61 Kilmelfort 1953 1956 458 730 68 Lussa Extension 1953 1956 310 320 69 Cowal Extension 1953 1956 350 370 * In most cases the estimates were made from one to four years before the date of commencement. generally in accord with the revised financial policy of Her Majesty's Government; how much money is to be saved respectively in generation and distribution; and what effect the changes will have upon future power supply.
§ Mr. J. StuartI have nothing as yet to add to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 15th November.
§ 89. Mr. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what projects of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board are at present in hand; what was the commencing date of each and estimated completion date; what was the cost of each scheme at the time of authorisation by the Secretary of State and the revised cost estimated at November, 1955, in view of declining money values; what projects have been sanctioned and not yet commenced and what cost authorised for each; what is the commencing and completion date estimated for each of these projects; and what projects are to be abandoned, in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government of eliminating inessential capital expenditure.
§ Mr. J. StuartFollowing is the information:
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SCHEMES SANCTIONED BUT NOT YET STARTED No. Scheme Estimated cost at time of confirmation by Secretary of State £'000 26 Mucomir … … … … … … … 375 34 Gisla … … … … … … … 210 35 Loch Chliostair … … … … … … … 270 71 Loch Glashan … … … … … … … 1,300 The date on which these schemes will start is under consideration. Constructional scheme No. 31 (Tummel-Valley Additions) has been confirmed by the Secretary of State and is at present before Parliament.
§ 91 and 92. Mr. Woodburnasked the Secretary of State (1) whether he will give an assurance that the development of electric power in Scotland from steam and other power will be maintained, and that the Government are fully aware of the importance of increasing Scotland's electric potential at the earliest moment; and if be will make a statement;
(2) whether he will give an assurance that the Government's policy of capital restriction will not apply to provision for electrical development, and that economies in capital expenditure will not be allowed to dislocate the progress of hydro-electric schemes which employ labour in areas where no alternative employment exists.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe Government appreciate the importance of continuing to expand the production of electricity in Scotland; and also the value of hydroelectric projects in providing employment. These considerations are being fully borne in mind during the current review of the investment programmes of the Scottish Electricity Boards.
§ 93. Mr. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the aggregate sum expended, to the latest convenient date, on capital account, by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, out of the total £200 million authorised by Parliament within existing statutes; what further sums are committed in respect of unfinished projects; how much more it will cost to complete such unfinished projects; and the aggregate capital cost of projects sanctioned and not yet commenced.
§ Mr. J. StuartAt the end of October, 1955, the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board had spent £117,300,000 on capital account, of which £94,100,000 was188W for generation and associated main transmission projects. At that date about £53,300,000 was committed in respect of unfinished projects and it is estimated that an additional £9,050,000 will be required to complete them. The aggregate capital cost of projects sanctioned but not yet commenced is estimated at £2,155,000.