§ Mr. Gourlayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many coal-fired power stations in Scotland, with adequate supplies of coal, were operating at less than full capacity on Monday, 21st February, 1972;
(2) how many coal-and oil-fired power stations, respectively, in Scotland were operating at full capacity on Monday, 21st February, 1972;
(3) what is the full load capacity of the electricity transmission lines from Scotland to England; and if these lines were being used to full capacity on Monday, 21st February, 1972.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellOne coal-fired station and four oil-fired stations were operating at full load on 21st February. No coal-fired station with adequate supplies of coal was operating at less than its full available capacity on that day.
The practical capacity of the transmission lines between Scotland and England is 1,000mW. Power can flow in both directions and on 21st February transfers varied from 500mW from Scotland to England to 100mW from England to Scotland. The effective capacity of the lines at any time depends on the internal capability of either country's system to accept transfers.