asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that many smiths cannot procure iron for horse shoes and are compelled to weld two old shoes to make one new one, thus causing much extra fuel to be used, and if the Minister will now endeavour to provide extra and suitable coal for the welding.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal for Welding.
I am aware that there is a general scarcity of standard quality shoeing iron and that blacksmiths have to rely principally on scrap iron. I have no representations, however, that the amounts of coal which they are at present authorised by my Department to purchase have proved insufficient for their purposes. As far as the suitability of the available coal is concerned, there is no action which I can take which might result in an improvement in quality.