§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has taken a decision on the proposal for a further nuclear power station at Hunterston; and if he will make a statement about future coal consumption by the Scottish electricity boards.
§ Mr. RossI have authorised the South of Scotland Electricity Board to proceed with the construction at Hunterston of a 1250 MW nuclear generating station of the advanced gas cooler reactor type to 89W be operative in 1973. This will follow the commissioning of three large coal-burning stations which will have the effect of nearly doubling the Board's present consumption of coal in the next five years. It may be followed by further pumped storage in Scotland, which would help to sustain the level of coal consumption by the Boards if coal prices are competitive in the 1970s.