asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been directed to paragraph 102 of the second annual report of C.I.E., which states that, due to the shortage of British coal in this country, the company was obliged to purchase 108,000 tons of coal in Germany and the U.S.A. at an additional cost of £200,000, and if as (a) the extra charge incurred by C.I.E. will have to be borne by the taxpayers; (b) there is an adverse effect on Irish industry as a whole resulting from the shortage of coal and (c) it has been stated recently that coal production in Britain is increasing, he will make representations at ministerial level to have this situation remedied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - C.I.E. Coal Supply.
British coal supplies were not available in sufficient quantityduring the 12 month period which ended on March 31st, 1952, to which the report mentioned by the Deputy refers. C.I.E., in common with other coal importers, were obliged during that period to import supplies from Germany and the U.S.A. Adequate supplies for all purposes are now available from Britain, and the question of representations does not. therefore, arise.