asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state the retail price of household coal at (a) August 26th, 1939; and (b) at the end of each month subsequent to August, 1939; further, if he will state whether the price of household coal was increased during the month of July, 1940, and, if so, the amount of and the grounds for such increase; whether he is aware that large stocks of surplus coal are available in England, and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to secure supplies for this country at reasonable prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal Prices.
The price of household coal depends on the quality and on transport charges from the colliery of supply to the point of consumption. It is not possible, therefore, to give specifically the price of household coal on 26th August, 1939, nor at any subsequent date.
With my approval the price of household coal was increased in certain districts during the month of July, 1940, by amounts varying from 1/- to 1/6 per ton. Such increases arose in the main from increased freight charges due to coals being imported in increasing quantities from collieries situated on the east coast of England.
With regard to the last part of the question, I am making every possible effort to secure the maximum imports of suitable coals; some of the surplus stocks to which the Deputy refers are not, I am advised, of such qualities as are ordinarily regarded as suitable for the Irish market.
If any person is of opinion that the price which he is being charged for coal is such as to yield a greater profit to the coal merchant than that taken pre-war, the price will be examined if the matter is reported to my Department.
In view of the surplus of coal available in Great Britain, will the Minister say whether he is prepared to refer the question of the present prices charged here to the Prices Commission for immediate investigation and report?
The prices charged for coal at every centre in this country have been examined by the prices section of my Department on more than one occasion.
Has it been examined by the Prices Commission as such?
The Prices Commission as such are not now functioning, but the prices section of my Department has much wider powers than the Prices Commission had.
And the price of coal has been advancing since last November. Perhaps the Minister does not know that?