asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will outline by area the sulphur content, thermal content and cost per tonne of coal delivered to power stations operated by the South of Scotland Electricity Board and the Central Electricity Generating Board.

The CEGB advises that, on the basis of its latest evaluation, the sulphur content and thermal content per tonne of coal delivered to CEGB power stations from the various NCB sales areas and other suppliers is as follows:-

	CV (net giga joules per tonne)	Sulphur (percentage b) weight)
Scotland	23·0	1·0
North Eastern	24·7	1·6
Yorkshire	23·2	1·7
North Midlands	22·9	1·5
South Midlands	22·0	1·7
Western	23·9	1·6
South Wales	25·2	1·2
CEGB Average	23·4	1·6

Information concerning power stations operated by the SSEB is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. However, I understand that the SSEB's advice to him is that the position in relation 'so their power stations is as follows:

	CV (net giga joules per tonne)	Sulphur (percentage by weight)
SSEB	21·6	0·76

Delivered costs of coal are the subject of confidential agreements with CEGB and SSEB suppliers.