asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the quantities of coal sold from the emergency fuel dumps during 1950 and also during the first three months of 1951; (b) the average price secured therefor, and (c) the quantity now remaining unsold and held in such dumps.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emergency Fuel.
Major de Valera
The quantities of coal sold from the dumps of Fuel Importers, Limited, during 1950 and for the first three months of 1951, and the average prices realised by the company were:—
|
Tons |
Average Price per ton |
|||
|
1950 |
135,624 |
£3 |
9 |
11 |
|
January-March, 1951 |
98,349 |
£5 |
6 |
7 |
The stock held on 31st March, 1951, was 126,389 tons.
Major de Valera
Is it, therefore, true that the rate at which coal is being expended from these dumps is increasing?
I do not think that that can be deduced from the answer given. One portion of the answer refers to the period over the whole year. The other portion of the answer dealt with the three winter months of the year.
Major de Valera
Is the Minister aware that on the 15th November last, in reply to a question by Deputy Lemass, the Minister stated that the quantities of coal sold from the dumps in 1948 were 65,516 tons, and in 1949, 78,040 tons, while the figure now given for 1950 is 135,624 tons. These are progressive figures. The figure for the three months, January-March, 1951, is now given as 98,349 tons. If he takes these figures and this last figure proportionately, will the Minister not agree that the dumps are being rapidly dissipated?
I understood that, in accordance with Dáil procedure, the Deputy's supplementary question should arise out of the main question and should not be related to previous debates.