§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to hold a public inquiry into the proposal by Shell Expro to site a natural gas liquids separation plant at Peterhead.
§ Mr. William RossThe period for making representations on the project has not yet expired; so far, neither Shell UK Ltd. nor Banff and Buchan District Council, both of whom have a statutory right to ask for an inquiry, have said whether they wish one. I have therefore not yet decided whether to hold a public inquiry.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to seek skilled, independent advice on the proposal by Shell Expro to build a natural gas liquids separation plant at Peterhead.
§ Mr. William RossI have asked the Health and Safety Executive to let me have a full assessment of any hazards248W that might arise from the operation of the plant. Before the present planning application was submitted, the planning authorities concerned had commissioned a study of the plant by independent consultants, and their report will also be made available to me.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had on the proposal by Shell Expro to build a natural gas liquids separation plant at Peterhead.
§ Mr. William RossNone.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what rate of development area grant will be payable to Shell Expro if it is granted permission to build a natural gas liquids separation plant at Peterhead.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieI have been asked to reply.
No application for a regional development grant on the project has yet been made. Provided that the conditions for grant were met, it would be payable at the rate of 20 per cent. of the approved capital expenditure incurred on the plant.