asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is intended to enforce the quota of British cement for the second quota period; if he will state if the present price of British cement has had any effect on the allotted quota or has one-third of our total cement requirements to be taken irrespective of what is the cost of this commodity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cement Quota.
Steps are being taken to revoke the quota order regulating the importation of cement.
Does that mean that the second quota will have to be taken?
We are proposing to revoke the quota order.
Would the Minister consider doing now what possibly ought to have been done in the first instance —taking off the emergency duty of 10 per cent. on British cement and letting it come in as an economic proposition when British manufacturers are able to supply it?
That is a separate question.
Will the Minister say if revocation of the quota order for cement will reduce the number of cattle which the British will take from this country?
No.
Has the Minister come to an agreement on that matter?
Yes.
Will the Minister undertake that any merchants who have advanced the price of Continental cement, on the ground that they had to do so in order to comply with the Minister's quota arrangements, will be compelled to reduce their price to the level at which it stood before the quota order was put into operation?
No merchant was obliged to advance the price of Continental cement in order to comply with the quota order.
I have here a letter from merchants in the West of Ireland notifying us that the price of Continental cement has been advanced by 6/6 per ton in order to meet the requirements of the Minister in regard to his quota order.
That is entirely incorrect.
Here is the letter. Will the Minister communicate with these people and require them to withdraw that advance?
The parties concerned have machinery at their disposal which can be utilised for that purpose.
Does the Minister deny that the price of cement has been increased by from 6/- to 6/6 per ton?
I deny that there has been any increase due to the quota order.
Does the Minister deny that the price of cement has gone up by that amount?
That is a separate question.
The Minister does not sell cement.