asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce with reference to his reply to a question on the 15th March, 1951 (Official Report, Volume 124, columns 2032-3) if he will state specifically (a) the machine tools and the items of machinery, acquired for the Inchicore chassis factory, which have been disposed of by sale; (b) the particular machine tools and items of machinery exported, and (c) the prices obtained for such machine tools and items of machinery.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inchicore Chassis Factory.
Major de Valera
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a statement of the items of machine tools and machinery disposed of by sale in this country, and exported. I do not think it would be desirable to give particulars in respect of the prices obtained for the individual items.
The following is the statement:—
MACHINE TOOLS AND ITEMS OF MACHINERY ACQUIRED FOR THE PROJECTED CHASSIS FACTORY AT INCHICORE WHICH HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BY SALE.
DESCRIPTION.
(a) Sold here:
No. 2 Horizontal Miller.
No. 2 Vertical Miller.
Ward No. 7 Bar Capstan.
10-ton Hand Crane.
(b) Exported:
30-inch Vertical Drill
Centering Machine.
Broaching Machine.
Quenching Press.
2 Birlec Furnaces.
No. 4 Horizontal Miller.
2 No. 3 Ditto.
No. 3 Vertical Miller.
Orcott Spline Grinder.
Maag Gear Grinder.
Do. Set Instrument.
Do. Gear Testing Machine.
6"×4" Plain Grinder.
No. 2 Centreless Grinder.
14"×50" Plain Grinder.
Gleeson Gear Generator.
Fellows Gear Shaper.
2 Barber Colman Hobbing Machines.
3 Herbert 9B Combination Turrets.
Ward No. 7 Bar Capstan.
Lumsden Tool Grinder.
Optical Flats.
No. 7 Chuck Capstan.
No. 7 Combination Turret.
Worm and Wheel Testing Machine.
David Brown Worm Wheel Generator.
Major de Valera
Would the Minister say what is the objection to giving the prices in the latter case? I can understand his point about not giving the prices in the first part of the question. Surely when it is a question of machinery and items sold in one transaction, which has been completed, the Minister could have no objection to giving the prices here?
There are a considerable number of items. Some are small in value; others are greater. Some were possibly sold in groups. I do not think it would add either to the knowledge or useful information of the House to give the price of every specific item sold. It is more or less in this case a matter of precedent and procedure, etc. If the Deputy insists, I admit the Deputy is entitled to the information.
Major de Valera
It does not matter.