§ 55. Mr. Woofasked the Minister of Power why he based his decision to approve a nuclear station at Seaton Carew on a comparison with a coal-fired station, the capital cost of which was assumed to be higher than that of any coal-fired station yet built, and higher than the estimate for new coal-fired stations given by his predecessor in April, 1968.
§ Mr. FreesonThe estimated capital cost of a coal-fired station was based on current price levels and allowed for the difficult site conditions at Seaton Carew.
§ 56. Mr. Woofasked the Minister of Power what he estimated to be the cost of electricity from a coal-fired station at Seaton Carew based on coal at the price offered by the National Coal Board, namely, 3¼ d. a therm delivered; and how this compares with the estimate for a coal-fired station quoted in the announcement of his decision on 21st August.
§ Mr. FreesonThe relevant figure used in the Government's asssessment was the cost of the additional coal which would have been produced and used if the station had been coal-fired. Coal available at a price of 3¼ d. a therm can be used in any case at existing stations.