§ Mr. Swainasked the Minister of Power what is the estimated cost per kilowatt of the Drax power station and the cost of other coal-fired stations now being completed, such as Cottam and Ratcliffe-on-Soar; and what are the reasons for the differences in cost.
§ Mr. FreesonThe C.E.G.B.'s estimate of cost per kilowatt of Drax, as stated in my right hon. Friend's answer on 23rd January to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. J. H. Osborn) [Vol. 757, c.78.] is £52 a kilowatt. The latest estimates for Cottam and Ratcliffe respectively are £44 and £41 a kilowatt. Differences in capital costs arise from a variety of causes such as the date of work commencing, site conditions and the terms of individual contracts which are matters for the C.E.G.B.