HC Deb 10 March 1953 vol 512 cc103-5W
104. Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the possible legislation mentioned in the Queen's Speech affecting the supply of electricity in Scotland.

Mr. J. Stuart

This question is being carefully examined but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

107. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the installed capacity in megawatts, respectively, for water, for steam and for oil generation contributing to the total installed capacity of 560 megawatts owned by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board at 31st December, 1952.

Mr. J. Stuart

I am informed by the Board that the installed capacity of the generating plant which they owned and operated at 31st December, 1952, was as follows:

Megawatts
Hydro-electric plant … … 391
Steam plant … … 131
Diesel plant … … 38
Total … … 560

111. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a further statement on the estimated total cost of the Breadalbane Hydro-Electric Project published at £15,103,000 and any amendment on the estimated cost per megawatt installed, £ /M.W.I., for this Breadalbane project.

Mr. J. Stuart

In accordance with practice, the White Paper, which is descriptive of the contents of the scheme, quotes the estimate of expenditure given in the scheme itself. That estimate was framed in 1951 when, as the White Paper explains, the scheme was submitted for confirmation. Costs are estimated to have increased since that date by 20 per cent., but the original estimate included a 10 per cent. margin and the higher costs are likely to be offset at least in part by economy in construction.

On the basis of the Board's estimate that costs have increased by 20 per cent. since the scheme was published, the cost of £170,000 per megawatt installed quoted in my answer of the 10th February would fall to be increased to about £204,000.

Any economies that may be found possible in the course of construction will similarly be reflected in a reduced capital cost per megawatt installed.