§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will complete his consideration of the application by the South of Scotland Electricity Board to convert certain generating stations to oil-firing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonMy right hon. Friend has informed the Board that, after balancing the economic and technical advantages against the wider social and other implications, he cannot approve the conversion of these stations to oil-firing at the present time. This does not preclude the Board from renewing the applications at some future date.
§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board was refused permission to convert the remainder of the Carolina Port, Dundee, generating station to oil firing; and what estimate he has made of the effect of this decision on the cost of electricity to consumers in the Board's area.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonMy right hon. Friend withheld his consent because the wider social and other implications of a change from coal to oil fuel outweighed the economic and technical advantages. On average over the next six years the consequent reduction in the Board's tariffs might have been no more than one thousandth of a penny per unit.