§ Mr. Varleyasked the Minister of Power how many tons of coal is currently produced suitable for use in power stations at 2½d. per therm, 3d. per therm, 3½d. per therm, 4d. per therm, 4½d. per therm and 5d. per therm, respectively; and what estimate he has made of the average cost per therm of coal produced by the National Coal Board in 1970, assuming an annual output of 150 million tons.
§ Mr. MarshThe majority of coals are suitable for use in power stations, but as the different grades of coal are joint products there is no formal allocation of costs between one grade and another. It is for the N.C.B. to decide how to price the coal supplied to power stations having regard to their other markets and their financial position and I have asked the Chairman of the Board to write to my hon. Friend and explain the principles on which this is done.
222WThe National Coal Board are hoping to achieve reductions in the real cost of coal by 1970.