§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will order a public inquiry into the application by PowerGen to establish a gas-fired power station at Gartcosh in Lanarkshire; and if he will make a statement. [25920]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 22 April 1996]The relevant planning authority has a statutory period of four months in which to submit a report to my right hon. Friend on PowerGen's proposal to build a power station at Gartcosh. Once the report is received, the Secretary of State will consider it together with the advice of his consultees and any representations he may receive from other interested parties. He will then decide whether it is necessary to hold a public inquiry. Such an inquiry is mandatory if the planning authority formally objects to the proposals.