asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will comment on the drop in the value of this country's exports over the past year of (a) metal ores and scrap and (b) wrought and unwrought metal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Value of Exports.
48.
I understand that the drop in the value of exports of metal ores and concentrates so far in 1971 has been due to a number of factors, including a fall in world market prices of lead and copper, difficulties in marketing certain copper concentrates, industrial disputes, and an explosion at one mine which halted activities for some time.
In general, the value of metal scrap fell in 1971 because of a fall in export prices due to substantial surpluses abroad.
The exports of unwrought and wrought metals fell principally into two groups: (i) iron and steel bars, rods, rounds, angles, shapes and sections and (ii) aluminium bars, rods, angles, et cetera, and wire.
The fall in the case of the first group was due to reduced exports in the early months of 1971, because of a very high home demand in the latter part of 1970 and a recession in the world market for steel products from March, 1971, onwards. The main factors responsible in the case of the second group were a drop in demand on the world market, a recession in the building trade in Britain and an industrial dispute.
Does the Minister expect the trend will be reversed next year?
I could not possibly indicate that the trend will be reversed. From the point of view of aluminium bars, rods, angles and wire there are indications of a recovery for aluminium and production for the current month is expected to equal that of November, 1970.
It is all bound up with production and markets.
I hope we will not have the same industrial difficulties.