asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that owing to the prices charged in this country for British coal many of the smaller gas undertakings fear that they may be obliged to close down; whether representations in the matter were made to him by representatives of gas undertakings and whether in view of the information communicated to him he is prepared to permit the importation of continental coal, free of duty, for purely carbonising purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gas Undertakings and Coal Prices.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I have received representations of the nature to which the Deputy refers and have given them full consideration, but I cannot see my way to propose any alteration of the arrangements for the importation of coal into the Saorstát for the period 1st February, 1936, to 31st January, 1937, which are embodied in the Control of Imports (Quota No. 11 Third Period) Order, 1935.