Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1957

Vol. 164 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Sheet Iron.

Mr. Corry

asked the Taoiseach if he will state (a) the total quantity of sheet iron for use in the manufacture of corrugated iron imported for the years 1953-54, 1954-55, 1955-56, and 1956-57, and to the 30th September, 1957; (b) where this sheet iron was imported from; and (c) the cost per ton.

Donnchadh Ó Briain

Imports are brought to account by reference to the commodity classification specified in the current Official Import List. This list does not require importers to state the use for which their imports are intended and, consequently, no particulars of sheet iron imported specifically for use in the manufacture of corrugated iron are available. I propose, however, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a statement showing particulars of certain iron and steel plates and sheets imported for all purposes in each year 1953-56 and in the first nine months of 1957. The imports shown relate to the Official Import List headings which would include any imports of sheet iron of the type used in the manufacture of corrugated iron as well as imports for other uses.

Following is the statement:—

IMPORTS OF CERTAIN IRON AND STEEL PLATES AND SHEETS IN EACH YEAR 1953-56 AND IN THE PERIOD JANUARY-SEPTEMBER, 1957.

Description and Country of Origin	1953	1954	1955	1956	1957 January-September
Quantity	Value	Average c.i.f. Price per ton	Quantity	Value	Average c.i.f. Price per ton	Quantity	Value	Average c.i.f. price per ton	Quantity	Value	Average c.i.f. price per ton	Quantity	Value	Average c.i.f. price per ton
	ton	£	£	s.	ton	£	£	s.	ton	£	£	s.	ton	£	£	s.	ton	£	£	s.
Universals, plates and sheets, uncoated (see Note below):
Great Britain	3,264	174,641	53	10	2,041	95,767	46	18	7,159	381,763	53	7	6,699	384,044	57	7	2,003	126,002	62	18
The Six Counties	1	72	72	0	—	26	—	15	779	51	19	4	276	69	0	—	—	—
Belgium	2,095	105,772	50	10	2,300	111,115	48	6	2,124	117,392	55	5	2,304	126,228	54	16	160	9,648	60	6
Luxembourg	105	4,770	45	9	243	10,995	45	5	114	5,328	46	15	71	3,556	50	2	5	284	56	16
Germany (Federal Republic)	552	31,179	56	10	152	7,331	48	5	166	8,816	53	2	417	27,735	66	10	35	28,901	825	15
France	206	9,049	43	19	130	6,490	49	18	317	16,569	52	5	63	3,727	59	3	5	277	55	8
Netherlands	111	6,245	56	5	100	6,157	61	11	96	5,454	56	16	358	20,898	58	7	10	599	59	18
Sweden	—	1	—	10	2,430	24	6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Japan	155	8,079	52	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
United States of America	328	16,030	48	17	241	10,489	43	10	2,694	150,514	55	17	1,220	79,862	65	9	222
Canada	—	24	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
TOTAL	6,817	355,862	52	4	5,217	250,800	48	1	12,685	686,615	54	3	11,136	646,326	58	0	2,440	179,819
Plates and sheets, coated: Galvanised flat sheets, not corrugated:
Great Britain	251	16,029	63	17	334	21,943	65	14	340	22,253	65	9	378	26,572	70	6	470	33,192	70	12
The Six Counties	2	116	58	0	—	23	—	—	14	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Belgium	29	1,866	64	7	375	21,077	56	4	282	18,660	66	3	79	5,141	65	2	—	—	—
Luxembourg	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	128	64	0	—	—	—
Germany (Federal Republic)	6	431	71	17	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Netherlands	—	—	—	17	930	54	14	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
United States of America	8	590	73	15	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Total	296	19,032	64	6	726	43,973	60	11	622	40,927	65	16	459	31,841	69	7	470	33,192	70	12

NOTE: 1953 figures relate to items of all thicknesses.

1954-56 figures relate to items of thickness not exceeding 1/8th of an inch.

1957 figures relate to items of thickness under 1/8th of an inch.