§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment has been made of the current and future financial implications for Scottish Nuclear Ltd. and for his Department in the future, of the establishment of a temporary store for waste nuclear fuel at Torness power station.
§ Mr. StewartI understand from Scottish Nuclear Ltd. that it expects that establishment of spent fuel storage facilities at Torness and Hunterston power stations would reduce charges to the profit and loss account by around £45 million next year. My right hon. Friend will not take a decision on SNL's proposals until he has considered the reporter's recommendations following the public inquiry now being held. The setting of SNL's external financial limit, which is a charge on the Scottish Office programme, takes account of the company's operating and other costs.