asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether it has been arranged by his Department or by agencies on his behalf to ship substantial quantities of sugar from Cuba, and of coal from America to this country in the near future; and, if so, if he will state what firm or firms will charter the vessels to be used in the shipping of the sugar and coal to this country.
- Sugar and Coal Imports.
Arrangements have been made for the shipment of substantial quantities of sugar from Cuba and of coal from America and I understand that, except in respect of one coal cargo, Irish Shipping, Limited, are the chartering agents for any foreign tonnage that may be required.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Irish Shipping, Limited, was primarily established as a ship-owning concern and not as a ship-brokers' concern? Will he state whether any other Irish shipping brokers were invited to tender for the chartering of these ships?
I cannot answer the Deputy's supplementary offhand except to say that it is a matter for the people importing particular consignments. In the case of coal, whatever importers are engaged in it are free to make their own arrangements. In the case of sugar, the Irish Sugar Company chartered the ships from Irish Shipping, Limited.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the freight paid by ship owners for bringing coal to Ireland is from £3 9s. 0d. to £3 11s. 0d. per ton, while we have ships owned by Irish Shipping, Limited, taking cargo to Australia and getting from 25/- to 26/- per ton?
Will the Deputy state how that arises out of Question No. 74?
The Deputy will appreciate that some of the cargo lifted in these ships—they are not colliers—is not suitable for colliers.
The ships going with cargo to Australia are just as capable of bringing cargo here as any other ships.