§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement about the anticipated availability of generating capacity at Torness power station during the coming winter;
(2) if he will make a statement about the delay in completing the store for dismantling irradiated fuel at Torness power station.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 13 November 1989]: These are operational matters for the South of Scotland Electricity Board. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the delay in obtaining approval from the nuclear installations inspectorate for the refuelling equipment at Torness power station.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 13 November 1989]: Progress with the commissioning of refuelling equipment at Torness is regulated by a series of formal consents required under the conditions of the nuclear site licence issued by the nuclear installations inspectorate on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive.
I am advised by the NII that consents for the early stages of commissioning have been granted, the inspectorate having satisfied itself on the safety case made by the South of Scotland Electricity Board. The SSEB is expected to apply shortly for consent to progress to the next stages which cover the loading of more fuel into the reactors.