asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate the cause of the difference between the price of the Rayburn range in the Republic and in the Six Counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Ranges.
The difference in prices is due partly to higher manufacturing costs—raw materials, fuel, and labour costs—and partly to the higher trade discount obtained by the retail distributors in this country. I propose to inquire further into this matter of the trade discount in this instance.
Would the Minister not consider 40 per cent. too great a discrepancy?
The Deputy should appreciate that pig iron which is one raw material is imported from Dutch and Belgian sources at from £30 to £35 a ton. The price to British manufacturers is £11 a ton. Irish manufacturers have to pay £18 a ton for coke. English manufacturers get it for £6 a ton. These are the essential materials in this case and the prices of manufactured articles are to a large extent governed by these.
We should not forget the unfortunate housewife.