asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state in what way any public interest is served by the withholding of information as to the total quantities and values of coal imported during the years 1939 and 1940.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Coal.
Shortly after the outbreak of war consideration had to be given to the question of what degree of restriction should, in the public interest, be placed on the publication of statistics. After the fullest consideration by all the Departments concerned, it was decided to restrict the publication of import and export statistics to the degree shown in the summary of imports and exports which has been issued since that date. In time of war to publish, in respect of any commodities, details of either exports or imports might be expected to evoke queries as to why figures relating to other commodities were being withheld and there would be considerable difficulty in refraining from giving information which it would definitely not be in the public interest to publish.
Does the Minister not realise that if there is to be public understanding of the position regarding coal, it is essential that more people than the Government should know how stocks were arriving, and where stocks were available? Does he not think that he would be spared a considerable amount of difficulty concerning the distribution and handling of supplies if there was more general information as to the amount of coal arriving monthly?
I think that is another question.
Is the Minister aware that he has not indicated in any way what particular public interest is served by withholding information as to the amount of coal coming here?
How does the Minister expect the public to understand a rise of about 15/- a ton in the price of coal in the last few months, when the general presumption, according to Ministerial statements, is that virtually no coal is arriving, so that it is largely coal that was here was affected? Why did it go up by 15/- a ton?
That is a separate question.
I asked the Minister to state in what way the public interest is served by withholding the information. Does he realise that it is impossible not to place the other implication on the position in the absence of information? Does he not understand that that creates a serious difficulty for the Government?
One difficulty is not got out of by getting into another.
Would the Minister explain why it is necessary in the public interest to withhold statistics regarding coal?
It is quite obvious that in a time of war, and at a time like this, full details cannot be gone into without running a considerable amount of risk?
What kind of risk? Is it the risk that the people would object to paying certain prices for coal?
In the national interest.
Mr. Byrne
Why is it that the bellmen have to take slack instead of coal?
That is a separate question.