HC Deb 22 February 2000 vol 344 cc944-5W
Ms Southworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Eastern Merchant Generation's proposal to retrofit the flue gas desulphurisation plant at the West Burton coal-fired power station. [111901]

Mrs. Liddell

I have today granted consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Eastern Merchant Generation Limited for the construction of flue gas desulphurisation plant at the 2,000 MW coal-fired power station at West Burton in Nottinghamshire. Planning permission for the plant has also been deemed to be granted, subject to 49 planning conditions agreed with the Nottinghamshire County Council and the Bassetlaw District Council and also subject to the company entering into an agreement with the County Council under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to carry out necessary collateral works. The decisions have been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled 'Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee' (Cm 4071).

Copies of the Press Notice and decision letter are being placed in the Library of the House.

Mrs. Gilroy

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Smith Kline Beecham Pharmaceuticals and Scottish Power plc's proposal to build a combined heat and power station at Irvine, Ayrshire. [111903]

Mrs. Liddell

I have today given clearance under Section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 to SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals and ScottishPower plc's notification to build a 45 MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the SmithKline Beecham works, Irvine. The decision has been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071).

The decision to give clearance to the proposal on energy policy grounds is without prejudice to any decision that may be taken on whether or not planning permission is granted.

Copies of the Press Notice and the clearance letter are being placed in the Library of the House.