This research investigates financial, technical and attitudinal factors affectine the selection of coai as a space heating fuel in Local Authorities' non-domestic premises. Financial factors are explored by incorporating statistics of a sample of The City of Bradford Metropolitan Council's sites into a computer model that takes into account: the spread of capital costs of installing coal or other fuels. delivered fuel costs. maintenance and operating costs. and seasonal boiler efficiencies. The sensitivity of the mooei to changes in costs. boiler efficiencies. and financial selection criteria are investigated. Assuming a five year payback criterion and prices as found at the end of 1966, three percent of the space-heating ruel use or the Local Authority's premises is found to be viable for coal. The model is sensitive principally to changes in capital costs. and the availability of gas if a high cost for oit is assumed. Technical tactors are investigated by describing the properties or coal ana available comoustion equipment. Attitudes to the use of coal are researched by interviewing a sample of otticers and members in six Local Authorities in Yorksnire ana Humberside. Interviewees were particularly encouraged to describe their impressions and beliels. The scope of the study is expanded by the use of a postal survey of all United Kingdom Local Authorities. A variety or different topics are considered in the survey. These include the presence and content of fuel selection policies. the use and cost of fuels. financial criteria adopted in assessing projects, availability fr as supplies, and attitudes to the use of coal. The response rate to the questionnaire was over 40%. The study concludes with recommendations to The City or Braotora Metropolitan Council and British Coal.