asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has seen announcements in the Press to the effect that the prices of imported coal will be increased in the immediate future; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Imported Coal.
32.
I have seen a Press forecast of an increase in the price of imported coal in which reference was made to increases in the price of British coal and of coal imported from other sources and also to increased freight charges and the introduction of a five-day working week.
As regards British coal, we have been assured by the British authorities that the decision to increase the price of domestic coal to us, which had the effect of bringing it to the level of British home prices, was taken solely on commercial grounds and involved no discrimination against us.
The import prices are, of course, outside our control. So far as retail prices in Ireland are concerned, statutory control is not exercised but I have power under the Prices Act, 1958, to fix maximum retail prices following an investigation by the Fair Trade Commission. I have no reason to believe, however, that any such investigation will be necessary.
Am I to understand from the reply the Minister has just made that we need not anticipate that coal prices will rise here unless persons desire to continue to buy British coal at the higher British price and that there are alternative sources of supply of coal which can be sold here at prices comparable with the British prices before they were increased?
What the Deputy could have understood from the reply is that apart from the landed price of coal there is the question of increased freight charges and the introduction of a five-day working week, which may be considered by the people involved in deciding upon the matter of prices. There has not been any official announcement by the association.
Except in so far as a price increase may be due to increased freightage or increased handling charges here, there is no reason to anticipate an increase in the price of coal?
I understand that as well as increased freight charges and handling costs the landed price of coal may be one of the factors which will need to be considered. As I say, all the factors will probably be considered by the association concerned but they have not made any official announcement.
May I call the Minister's attention to the reply made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce to a question which I put to him on 13th June in which I said, asking him a question:
So, there is no reason to anticipate any increase in coal prices?
The Minister made the reply:
I do not think so.
That is only five or six weeks ago. Is that still the position and is that still the Minister's outlook?
I would not commit myself to that. There may have been a change in the six weeks or whatever time was involved which would change the outlook of the people who are concerned with the price of coal. I would not commit myself to saying that there has been no change in any of the factors involved since six weeks ago.