asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that galvanised iron is selling at 1/8 a foot in the Six Counties and is costing 2/4 per foot in County Monaghan; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the price of this iron is reduced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Galvanised Iron.
Under the Prices Act, 1958, I can intervene in a matter of this kind only if it is established that excessive prices are being charged by reason of causes within the control of manufacturers, undue labour costs or restrictive trade practices. I have no information before me to indicate that any of these conditions are present, and consequently I do not propose to intervene in the matter.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think that the differential of 7/6 per 10-foot sheet in the price of galvanised iron is an unreasonable burden to ask farmers to bear, they being the most substantial users of this commodity? If he does so agree, would be not inquire from the manufacturers of this product whether there is any special reason why there should be so great a differential between the price charged for galvanised iron in County Monaghan and the price for the identical article in County Fermanagh?
The Deputy states that a differential exists, but he is the only person who makes that statement. We have no evidence that such a differential exists. It might be of value to the Deputy to know that if galvanised iron can be bought in the Six Counties at 1/8 per foot, it is possible to import it duty paid and have it at less than 2/4 per foot, which he mentions as the price in County Monaghan. I am taking it for granted that the prices mentioned in his question are the prices for the trade and not retail prices.
These are retail prices which I quoted in my question. If the Parliamentary Secretary is not informed perhaps he would inquire whether these prices are correct, as I believe they are, as the prices charged to the farmers?
Perhaps the Deputy would supply the Department with evidence that galvanised iron, comparable with the galvanised iron produced in this country, is selling at 1/8 a foot.
With respect, I do not desire to give the Parliamentary Secretary a short answer, but the Tánaiste receives his salary, the Parliamentary Secretary receives his salary and the civil servants in Kildare Street receive their salaries for this work. I receive only a parliamentary allowance of £600 a year and I think that in drawing the attention of the Parliamentary Secretary to these facts I am doing my duty and giving substantial value for my services. Will the Parliamentary Secretary look into it?