§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, according to the latest assessments carried out by his Department, the SSEB and the NSHEB, there is a likelihood of power station closures in Scotland during the coming year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RossI understand from the Scottish electricity boards that they do not expect any power station closures in Scotland during the coming year.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is the intention of his Department and of the Scottish electricity boards progressively to replace ageing coal-fired power stations in Scotland with a view to preventing a decline in coal-burn after the mid-1980s.
§ Mr. William RossExisting coal-fired stations are closed when they no longer make an economic contribution to the system. New generating capacity is planned jointly by the Scottish electricity boards which consider the technical and financial merits of all the available alternatives. In considering the recommendations of the boards I take into account, in consultation with my colleagues, energy policy, any relevant social questions and the economic and financial costs and benefits of the project, including the effect on the coal mining industry.