asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate the quantity of American coal held by Fuel Importers, Limited, at Cork and Dublin since 1947, and whether it is being disposed of and at what price per ton.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - American Coal Imports.
The quantities of American coal held by Fuel Importers, Limited, since 1947 amounted at 1st March to 9,203 tons at Cork and 7,590 tons at Dublin. The prices at which this coal is being sold are:—Screened lump coal, £7 5s. 0d. per ton at both Dublin and Cork. Slack, £5 10s. 0d. per ton at Dublin; £4 10s. 0d. per ton at Cork.
Could the Minister explain why this coal was not made available to the people of Cork and Dublin during the bad winter we had last year? Further, could he say why the merchants who went to America and bought this coal are now refusing to buy it?
With regard to the first part of the supplementary, coal was available for purchase, and is still available for purchase, by merchants in Cork. The answer to the second part of the supplementary is somewhat more difficult. The position regarding coal at the present time is that sales are slow. I understand that the stocks on hand with merchants are reasonably ample.
Is not the Minister aware that the people of Cork had not either coal or turf in the winter of 1950-51 and that this coal has been lying there since 1947? What has the last Government to say to that?