asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the changes, if any, since 1st January in the prices of imported timber, copper, copper wire, electric cables and the different grades of steel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Material Price Changes.
4.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the available information as derived from the external trade statistics.
Following is the statement:
CHANGES in unit value (1) of certain commodities January-April, 1976.
|
Category |
Unit Value £ per metric ton |
Percentage Change |
|
|
January, 1976 |
April, 1976 |
||
|
Timber |
113.8 |
113.9 |
+0.1 |
|
Copper |
814.5 |
918.3 |
+12.7 |
|
Copper wire |
858.3 |
1,033.1 |
+20.4 |
|
Insulated wire and cable |
1,174.2 |
968.4 |
-17.5 |
|
High carbon steel |
235.1 |
165.9 |
-29.4 |
|
Alloy steel |
370.8 |
533.8 |
+43.9 |
|
Other iron and steel |
195.7 |
194.1 |
-0.8 |
|
Total iron and steel (2) |
204.2 |
202.5 |
-0.8 |
NOTES:
1. In any particular category the unit value (the value per unit quantity imported) is affected by the "mix" of items in that category, which may vary from month to month. For example, the proportions of softwood and hardwood imported may change from month to month.
2. The External Trade Statistics distinguish the above grades of steel. It is necessary to point out that the comparisons above for high carbon and alloy steel may be distorted by the relatively small trade in them and by changes in the particular items imported in a given month.