§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland which sites the South of Scotland Electricity Board and the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board have surveyed for the possible development of power stations; and which of these sites have proved suitable for the development of a nuclear power station.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe advance identification of suitable sites in Scotland for future power stations is a matter for the Scottish electricity boards and I am asking the chairmen to write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions have taken place between his Department and the South of Scotland Electricity Board in respect of the acquisition of Hunterston.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe South of Scotland Electricity Board already owns a substantial area of land 375W on the Hunterston peninsula. I am aware of the board's interest in the acquisition of further land at Hunterston although there have been no detailed discussions between my Department and the board.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence was submitted to him by the South of Scotland Electricity Board in support of its proposal to build a plant at Chapeldonan and, in particular, in support of compulsory purchase of the land.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe South of Scotland Electricity Board applied in December 1973 for consent under section 2 of the Electric Lighting Act 1909 to construct a nuclear power station at Chapeldonan; the application was withdrawn in May 1975 and a new application would be necessary should the board wish to proceed with such a development in the future. I understand that the board obtained the site at Chapeldonan by private purchase.