asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether an Order has been made which prevents the average blacksmith from purchasing bar iron at wholesale rates; and, if so, when the Order in question was made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bar Iron for Blacksmiths.
No Order has been made which prevents blacksmiths from purchasing bar iron at wholesale rates. Maximum wholesale and retail prices are fixed for mild steel and iron under the terms of an Order which was made in November, 1947. There is nothing in this Order, however, which would prevent a blacksmith from obtaining wholesale terms. On the contrary, the Order provides that only traders who secured the benefit of both a wholesale and a retail margin prior to the making of the Order, could continue to do so. If the Deputy will arrange to furnish to my Department particulars of any cases where blacksmiths have been refused wholesale terms the question as to whether there has been any contravention of the Order will be investigated.
Is it a fact that blacksmiths may not purchase bar iron unless they purchase it in six-ton lots, which is, I believe, about the quantity which average blacksmiths such as I mentioned in my question are not inclined to buy?
I suggest that the Deputy should furnish particulars to my Department as I have mentioned at the end of my reply. If he does, I will have them investigated.