asked the Minister for Supplies whether he is aware that the Dublin coal merchants are selling wood logs to small shopkeepers at 60/- per ton, which price does not permit of the shopkeepers retailing at the fixed price of 4½d. per stone; and whether he will arrange to have small shopkeepers supplied from the merchants at the same price at which the bellmen purchase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Logs in Dublin.
I am aware that Dublin coal merchants are selling firewood at 60/- per ton retail, which is the maximum price fixed by Order.
Owing to the position in regard to supplies, it is not practicable to place on these merchants the onus of supplying small shopkeepers at wholesale prices. While I appreciate the difficulty of such shopkeepers, desiring to retail firewood, in locating alternative sources of supply on more favourable terms, this is the only course open to them at present.
I must emphasise that the existence of difficulty in regard to the supply position does not justify the sale of firewood at prices in excess of those fixed by Order.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is the Minister aware that four small traders living in the vicinity of the Coombe and Francis Street, who bought timber at the controlled price of 4½d. per stone, have been sentenced to a month's imprisonment for selling it at 5½d. and 6d. per stone?
That is a separate question.
Does the Minister propose to take any action in the matter?
I am not responsible for any punishment which the court may decide to inflict in a particular case. The Order fixing the maximum price has been made, and it is up to everybody to observe it.
Will the Minister agree that, clearly, an injustice has been done to those small retailers, in view of the fact that the margin of profit was very small?