§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information was submitted to the assessor of public undertakings by the South of Scotland electricity board in respect of generating capacity at Torness power station on 1 October 1988.
§ Mr. LangThe information submitted by the South of Scotland electricity board to the assessor of public undertakings (Scotland) was that, on 1 October 1988, the installed generating capacity at Torness was nil. The relevant statutory instrument requires the board to certify the generating capacity in each rating area on the basis that all generators which were installed were capable of being fully used at the relevant time. I understand that the No. I unit at Torness had not completed its test run on the date in question.
§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contribution, in megawatts, has been made to the national grid by Torness power station in each month since generation started at that site.
§ Mr. LangI am advised by the South of Scotland electricity board that the first unit at Torness synchronised on to the national grid on 25 May 1988, following which a gradual build up in power proceeded in accordance with a programme agreed with the nuclear installations inspectorate. By the end of July 1988, an interim rating of 682 MW gross was achieved. Since then the unit has operated for much of the time at this power although occasional interruptions for scheduled testing have continued.
Torness unit No. 2 synchronised on 3 February 1989 and is presently operating at 540 MW gross. It is expected that this unit will achieve its interim rating of 682 MW gross before the end of this month.
§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will direct the South of Scotland electricity board to review the figure relating to generating capacity at Torness which was submitted to the assessor of public undertakings on 1 October 1988, with a view to ensuring that the board makes an appropriate financial contribution to the budgets of Lothian region and East Lothian district during the current year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangThe apportionment of the South of Scotland electricity board's rateable value among rating areas is 591W carried out in accordance with the formula set out in the Scottish Electricity Boards (Rateable Values) (Scotland) Order 1985. Part of the apportionment to East Lothian district council for 1989–90 is based on the board's generating capacity within the district council's area on 1 October 1988 as certified by the board to the assessor of public undertakings (Scotland). The Secretary of State has no powers to direct the South of Scotland electricity board to review its certified figures.