HC Deb 24 October 1973 vol 861 cc513-4W
Dame Joan Vickers

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give general directions to prevent the Central Electricity Generating Board applying at any time to use oil having a sulphur content exceeding 3 per cent., and that any application will be advertised and objections considered before action is taken.

Mr. Emery

I have been asked to reply.

It is a condition in the planning consent for the Inswork Point power station that it should not burn oil with a sulphur content greater than 3 per cent. without applying for my specific approval. I would hope such an application would not be necessary.

Dame Joan Vickers

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that, since the inquiry in regard to the establishment of an oil-fired power station at Inswork Point, there is now a possibility that the necessary oil will not be available, if he will reconsider this project or at least delay the start of the building of the station until further investigations have been made.

Mr. Emery

I have been asked to reply.

Agreement at this stage is limited to planning consent only. The board cannot start building the station until it has received the necessary financial approval to its investment programme. Approval for the necessary investment has not yet been sought, and would have to take into consideration the availability of fuel supplies.

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