§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will provide for the districts of Eastwood and Renfrew, and for Scotland, the number and rateable value of houses, etc., immediately prior to the introduction of the community charge with rateable values in the following bands:(a) up to £300, (b) £301 to £600, (c) £601 to £900, (d) £901 to £1,200, (e) £1,201 to £1,500 and (f) over £1,500.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThis information is set out in the table.
generated power from Hunterston B and Torness power stations; and what are the assumptions on which these estimates are based.
§ Mr. LangInformation on the generation costs and the quantity of electricity sent out from the principal forms of power generation used by the Scottish electricity boards is contained in their annual reports. Details of expenditure and output relating to individual power stations are operational and commercial matters for the boards.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment he has made on the impact on the Scottish economy of proposed gas-powered electricity generation stations located in the north-east of England; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what assessment he has made on the likely impact on electricity exports from Scotland of the proposed projects to build gas-powered electricity generating capacity in the north-east of England;
(3) what meetings or discussions he has held with the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board on its participation in the Neptune consortium; on what date he first learned of the project; if the board sought his approval for its involvement; and if he will make a statement;
(4) when he was informed by the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board of British Steel's participation in the Neptune consortium.
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§ Mr. LangI welcome the recent reports of consideration being given to possible developments on Teesside involving the exploitation of natural gas available from the North sea. Such developments are clearly of enormous importance for the United Kingdom economy as a whole and strongly indicate the Government's objective of encouraging competition in both electricity supply and in gas production.
The possible involvement of the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board in one of these developments would utilise its long experience in design, construction and operation of major power stations, such as Peterhead, where the board has already taken the lead in gas-fired generation. and provide long-term employment for its skilled staff. In addition, Scottish-based companies will be well placed to participate in the supply of major components for construction of the plant. There is, therefore, every reason to suppose that the Scottish economy will benefit from these opportunities.
I understand that these developments would involve supplies of electricity dedicated to certain large consumers. The potential for the Scottish electricity industry to offer supplies to the system in England and Wales by means of the transmission grid interconnector therefore remains.
Discussions on these developments are at a very early stage but, given the lengthy gestation period for projects of this nature, it is appropriate for the board now to be considering opportunities to expand its business after privatisation.
The North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board informed me earlier this month of its intention to consider its involvement in the potential development and of various aspects of the development, including the identity of possible large customers. The proposals are not yet at a stage at which any formal consents are required and consequently no approvals have been sought.