§ Mr. StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the consequences for the Scottish coal industry of the proposed gas-fired generating unit at Gartcosh. [25314]
§ Mr. Michael ForsythPowerGen's application for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to build a gas-fired generating plant at Gartcosh is at present the subject of a consultation exercise. It would not be appropriate for me to make any assessment of the possible impact of PowerGen's proposals until the consultation exercise is complete. It may be appropriate to hold a public inquiry.
§ Mr. StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to make a decision on a public inquiry into the application under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 by Powergen to construct a gas-fired generating unit at Gartcosh. [25316]
§ Mr. ForsythThe relevant planning authority has a statutory period of four months in which to submit a report to me on PowerGen's proposal to build a power station at Gartcosh. Once the report is received, I will consider it together with the advice of my consultees and any representations I may receive from other interested parties. I will then decide whether it is necessary to hold a public inquiry. Such an inquiry is mandatory if the planning authority formally objects to the proposals.
§ Mr. StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he plans to hold before reaching a decision on the application under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 submitted to him by Powergen. [25317]
§ Mr. ForsythBefore determining PowerGen's application, I shall follow the procedures set out in the Electricity Act 1989 and the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1988, which entail giving due consideration to the views of the relevant planning authority. I shall also consult other interested parties, including Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. It is open to interested parties to respond to the proposals. I shall take account of all representations received.
§ Mr. StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to make a decision on the application by PowerGen for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct a gas-fired generating unit at Gartcosh. [25318]
§ Mr. ForsythPowerGen's application for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 was received in the Scottish Office on 5 March. It is not possible at this stage for me to give an idea as to when I will be in a position to reach a decision on the application.
47W
§ Mr. StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the applications for consent he has received under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989; and what decisions he has made on those applications. [25319]
Applicant Application date Proposals Decision date Decision Hydro-Electric 4 March 1991 Extension to Peterhead power station 5 June 1991 Approved Scottish Nuclear Ltd. 1 may 1992 Dry Store for spent fuel Storage, Torness, East Lothian Application withdrawn 10 May 1995 — ScottishPower 16 September 1992 Extension to Valleyfied Ash Lagoons, Valleyfied, Fife 12 May 1994 Approved Global Energy Ltd. 24 March 1993 Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle power station (75mw) Westfield, Fife 15 July 1993 Approved Hydro-Electric 6 April 1994 Extension to Lerwick power station 31 May 1994 Approved Scottish Power 1 July 1994 Flue Gas Desulphurisation Plant at Longannet Power Station, Fife 23 February 1995 Approved Norweb 10 March 1995 Hydro electricity generating scheme (3.2mw), Inverbroom, Wester Ross Under consideration — Highland Light and Power 22 December 1995 Hydro electricity generating scheme (2.1mw), Gairloch Estate, Wester Ross Under consideration — PowerGen 1 March 1996 Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power station (350mw x 2), Gartcosh, Near Coatbridge Under consideration —