asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that coal is 11/- per ton dearer in the Free State than in Northern Ireland, and if he can explain this discrepancy; and whether he proposes to take steps to see that the price of coal here will be more in keeping with prices prevailing elsewhere.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Coal in Saorstát.
I am not aware that coal is 11/- per ton dearer in the Free State than in Northern Ireland. All the information in the possession of my Department points to the fact that prices in Belfast are not at all lower than prices at corresponding centres in the Saorstát.
Is the Minister aware that this question was put down over a month ago when the price mentioned was the price then prevailing? I did not think the question would be on the Order Paper to-day.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that after the removal of the 5/- tax on coal on the 25th January the price charged to bellmen and other retailers for coal was 12/- more than the price obtaining on the 25th January last year; and if he will state the causes of this increased price, and what steps, if any, he intends to take to remove these causes, with a view to bringing about a reduction in coal prices.
I am not aware that the prices charged to bellmen and other retailers for coal was 12/- more that the price obtaining on the 25th January, 1935. My Department obtained written assurances from all registered coal importers who are vendors of coal that they would reduce their prices by not less than 5/- per ton on the 25th ultimo, in view of the fact that a refund was being made to such registered coal importers of the amount which could be shown to the satisfaction of the Revenue Commissioners to have been paid as Customs duty in respect of coal held in stock by such importers at midnight on the 24th ultimo.
Has the Minister done anything to satisfy himself that the reduction of 5/- in the price of coal was sufficient?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that statistics published by his Department show that the average cost per ton of household coal imported to the Free State in December last was only 3/10 more than the average cost per ton for household coal imported the previous January, while at the same time bellmen are being charged, with the 5/- off, 12/- more now than in January, 1935?
I am not so aware.
I give notice that I will raise this matter on the adjournment.
When did the Deputy become interested in the bellmen?
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he is aware that the reduction given in the price of coal to consumers as a result of the removal of the 5/- per ton Customs duty as from the 24th January was only 5/- a ton, and whether he has inquired why a greater reduction has not taken place, and, if so, with what result, and, if not, whether he proposes to make such inquiry.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative. The question of the reduction in coal prices following the remission of the Customs duty on imported coal was discussed with coal importers. The coal importers claim that their profit on sales of coal is based on a flat rate per ton, and that, when the Customs duty first became operative, their prices were increased by the amount of the duty only. The position is still under review by my Department.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the increase in price of English coal in the Saorstát since October, 1935; whether he is aware that an increase of 5/- and in some cases 7/- per ton has taken place in the f.o.b. price of coal on the other side; whether, as a consequence of these increases, the price of coal is now dearer in the Saorstát than in October last in spite of the removal of the tariff; and whether, in the circumstances, he will consider the question of coming to some arrangement with Great Britain regarding prices, or in the alternative allowing foreign coal to compete.
I am aware that the price of English coal has advanced appreciably since October, 1935, due to the threat of a stoppage in the English coal mines which has dislocated conditions in the coal market generally. The disturbance to price and other conditions in respect of sales of coal has not been confined to this country, and the whole question of ensuring supplies of coal at reasonable prices, taking into consideration coal prices outside the Saorstát, is under active consideration in my Department.
Will the Minister deal with the latter part of my question? With reference to what is known as the coal-cattle pact, has this Government made an arrangement with Great Britain regarding coal, and has the price of the coal been fixed? It seems to me that the Government made an arrangement to take coal solely from Great Britain but made no price, with the result that we are paying for the threat of a miners' strike.
I refer the Deputy to my answer to his question. His belief is entirely unfounded.
I am afraid the Minister has not answered my question. Was there any question of price when the arrangement was being made? Are we to take coal from England at any price England likes to charge?
Of course.
It was well known for some months that there was a threat of a strike.
The Deputy is entitled to ask a supplementary question, but not to make a speech.
I did not get an answer to the last part of my question. Will the Minister allow outside coal to come in?
It would make no difference in the matter of prices.
Will outside coal be let in?
I thought there was no market for cattle.