§ Mr. John Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the existing planning permission for the Torness power station specifies that only an advanced gas-cooled reactor may be established on the site, and that a new public inquiry would have to be held if the Government were to decide to site a pressurised water reactor station there.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe consent, given under the provisions of section 2 463W of the Electric Lighting Act 1909, to the construction of a nuclear power station on the Torness site specifies that the station will be of the advanced gas-cooled reactor type and capital expenditure approval has been given for a station of that type. Neither the South of Scotland Electricity Board nor the Government have any intention of changing the reactor system chosen for this station.
§ Mr. John Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to order the plant for the Torness power station; and if he will make a statement on the progress of this project.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherPreliminary site preparation and manufacturing work for the Torness power station are well in hand. I am informed that the South of Scotland Electricity Board has placed design contracts for the advanced gas-cooled reactor units and the turbo-generator plant, and that the board is in the process of obtaining tenders for the subsequent manufacturing and construction work. It is expected that, once safety and other clearances have been obtained, a start will be made on the construction of the station in 1980.