HC Deb 15 May 1963 vol 677 cc168-70W
Mr. Milian

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he accepts the assessment of the Mackenzie Committee Report that about 400 MW of hydroelectric capacity will be economically acceptable for authorisation up to 1975.

Mr. Noble

The Mackenzie Committee made it clear that its assessment was based on preliminary estimates of the cost of projects which the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board had not examined in detail. Every hydro-electric scheme that is submitted will be considered on merits, in comparison with alternative methods of generation.

Mr. Millan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he has accepted the method laid down in the Mackenzie Committee Report for the assessment of the comparative costs of different forms of electricity generation; and if he will make a statement;

(2) when he submitted that part of the Mackenzie Committee Report which deals with the comparative costs of different forms of electricity generation to the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board for their comments; and whether he will publish these comments or summarise them in the OFFICIAL REPORT;

(3) if he has studied the evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for Craigton regarding the accuracy of the methods used by the Mackenzie Committee to determine the comparative costs of different forms of electricity generation; and whether he will make a further study of these costs.

Mr. Noble

The Mackenzie Committee sought to establish principles on which cost comparisons of proposed forms of generation could be based. I did not formally refer any part of the Report to the Scottish Electricity Boards, but both have told me that they are prepared to apply these principles. I am aware that this part of the Report has been criticised in the article in a technical journal which the hon. Member sent me, but I am assured that the point raised in the article was not overlooked by the Committee.

Mr. Milan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the members he appointed to the Mackenzie Committee on Electricity in Scotland were qualified electrical engineers; and how many were otherwise experienced in the economics of electricity generation.

Mr. Noble

The members of this Committee were selected as covering a wide range of knowledge and experience. They included an eminent electrical engineer with a lifetime's experience in electricity generation, and also a professional economist.

Mr. Milan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will publish the written evidence given by the Scottish Development Department to the Mackenzie Committee on Electricity in Scotland;

(2) what were the subjects on which the Scottish Development Department gave evidence to the Mackenzie Committee on Electricity in Scotland.

Mr. Noble

The Scottish Home Department, whose functions in this field passed to the Scottish Development Department while the Committee was sitting, submitted factual evidence in reply to questions which the Committee had addressed to the Department. This evidence did not express opinions on the wider questions raised by the Committee's terms of reference. As the Committee decided against the publication of evidence, I do not think it would be appropriate now to publish the Department's memorandum.