asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the detailed items, distinguishing between turf and timber, which make up the total sum of £1,500,000 required under sub-head M, Vote 55, in the Estimates for the year 1947-48.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Fuel Subsidies.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the sum required in the present financial year, to provide the subsidy payable to Fuel Importers, Limited, in respect of the sale by them of firewood; and the basis on which that sum is calculated.
I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 13 and 16 together. The sum of £1,500,000 required under sub-head M, Vote 55, in the Estimates for the year 1947-48 represents the amount which it is estimated will be paid to Fuel Importers (Eire), Limited in the course of that year to offset losses on the sale of turf and firewood. When the Estimate was framed Fuel Importers, Limited, were not actually dealing in firewood and no specific sum for firewood was included. If the amount of the Estimate proves to be inadequate a Supplementary Vote will be taken at a later date. So far as turf is concerned the Estimate represents the difference between (a) the amount to be realised by Fuel Importers, Ltd., at the controlled selling price as reduced by margins and rebates allowed to merchants in various circumstances, and (b) the overall cost to Fuel Importers, Limited—taking into account purchase price, freight, shrinkage, handling, dump expenses, watching, maintenance of clamps, selling expenses, bank interest and establishment charges.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state, in respect of each of the past three years, the total amount of the subsidy paid to Fuel Importers, Limited; and the manner in which the amount of such subsidy was calculated.
The total amount of the subsidy paid to Fuel Importers (Eire), Ltd., in each of the last three financial years is as follows:—
|
1946-47 |
£1,258,000 |
||
|
1945-46 |
£1,433,000 |
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|
1944-45 |
£1,180,000 |
These payments were made to Fuel Importers (Eire), Ltd., in respect of losses certified by the auditor to have been actually incurred by the company on the sale of turf and firewood. These losses are simply the difference between the amount realised by Fuel Importers on actual sale and the total cost—including purchase, transport, handling, shrinkage and general overhead charges.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the sum paid, in the year 1946-47, by way of subsidy to Fuel Importers, Limited, in respect of the sale of firewood; and the quantity, in tons, in respect of which such payments were made.
The amount paid in the year 1946-47 by way of subsidy to Fuel Importers (Eire), Ltd., in respect of the sale of firewood was £20,000; the quantity of firewood involved was 8,300 tons.