asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the price realised ex-colliery per ton for coal sold in 1950 and 1951 from each of the mines at Arigna, Castlecomer and Slievardagh, and (b) the price realised ex-colliery per ton of anthracite coal sold in 1950 and 1951.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Irish Coal.
The information available in this matter is included in confidential returns which have been submitted to my Department and it would be contrary to practice to disclose such information relating to individual concerns.
Is it not a matter of sufficient importance that anthracite coal from Castlecomer is selling in Cork at £11 per ton, while Welsh anthracite is selling at £10 7s. 6d. per ton? Surely there is something radically wrong there. I understand that during the war Castlecomer coal was selling here at £13 per ton. I made inquiries and was informed that it was even higher than £11 a ton until the Welsh coal started coming in. Surely there is need for investigation.
The Deputy could frame a question which, I think, would help him to get the information he requires. He knows that, under the Statistics Acts, information relating to their business supplied by private firms cannot be disclosed here, and that is the type of information that the Deputy has asked for to-day. With regard to the statement he has just made, there is no restriction upon the importation of Welsh anthracite and it is reasonable to assume, therefore, that Irish anthracite would not secure a higher price unless it was superior in quality.
Is it not also true to say that it is not easy at times to get Welsh coal? If it were easy would it not mean that our miners in Castlecomer would become unemployed because of Castlecomer coal being 12/6 a ton dearer than Welsh coal?
It is a completely competitive market.
I am not impressed by competitive markets. I do not care who is preventing us from having the information I asked for. I maintain it is information that the Minister should have. The present position is bound to affect adversely employment in the Castlecomer collieries if Castlecomer coal fetches 12/6 a ton more than Welsh coal.
I am not accepting that statement as correct.
I saw the figures and I will bring all the information here and the Minister will have to stand over it.
Would the Minister not be able to give the information to the House without disclosing confidential information? The only information Deputy Hickey seeks is the price at which anthracite is sold. Surely the Minister's Department should be able to obtain that information without divulging anything of a confidential nature.
I have already suggested that Deputy Hickey could frame a question that would get him the information he is seeking. I cannot answer this particular question because the particular information the Deputy has asked for cannot be given.
I do not mind who is responsible for giving the Minister information. I still maintain that the Minister is entitled to find out what the charges are. Castlecomer coal is costing 12/6 a ton more in Cork than Welsh coal.
I am sure that the people who work the Castlecomer colliery cannot expect to sell coal in Cork at a higher price than imported coal.
That does not convince me. That is not an answer to my question.