asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is in a position to state the price of bar iron in England and the price charged by wholesalers for the same bar iron here to the retailers; and if he is prepared to control the price so charged so that farmers and others may obtain bar iron at a controlled price which will provide a reasonable profit to the wholesaler and retailer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Bar Iron.
I am not aware of the price of bar iron in England. Maximum wholesale and retail prices have been fixed for mild steel (including bar iron). The question of effecting a reduction in the controlled prices is under consideration.
Is the Minister aware that iron imported from Great Britain is being sold at the price of Irish manufactured iron, that is, £47 10s. per ton, when that iron can be purchased in Britain at a price of about £18 a ton?
It is possible that some quantities of bar iron imported from Great Britain would be sold at an excessive price. The price fixed by us relates to the cost of manufacture here, but that is a matter of considerable difficulty to rectify.