asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the date as from which the export of scrap metal was prohibited; (b) the number of licences issued for the export of scrap metal; and (c) the quantities represented by such licences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Scrap Iron.
The export of ferrous scrap metal (scrap iron and scrap steel) was prohibited save under licence as from the 1st July, 1939. In regard to the other parts of the question, I would refer the Deputy to replies given to Deputies Mulcahy, Norton and Hurley on the 6th February, 1941; 11th March, 1941, and yesterday, respectively, indicating that subsequent to August, 1939, a summary only of the value of imports and exports has been issued and that it has been decided not to publish, for the present, more details than are given in that summary. The Government does not think it advisable to depart from this policy. In the circumstances, the further details desired by the Deputy are not available for publication.
Does the Deputy deny that 3,800 tons of scrap were exported from Cork port alone last year?
The Deputy has not been listening to my answer.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Minister for Supplies, in the answer to which he has just referred, made a distinction yesterday between scrap iron and scrap steel and will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the mudguards of motor cars are made of iron or steel?
Does the Deputy think they are cast iron? He must be thinking of a tank.
I should like to know whether it is correct that they were exported on the day after the Minister's denial that there was any such exportation?
Perhaps I may intervene in this matter, as the Export of Scrap Metal Act is being administered by my Department. Licences have been issued for the export of scrap steel but no licences for the export of scrap cast iron have been issued. We have no means at present of utilising supplies of scrap steel here.
Even in Haulbowline?
No. If we ever develop any means of utilising scrap steel for our own purposes, there will be far more than sufficient for our needs left.
Would the Minister consider labelling the piles of scrap on the quays so that our minds would not be disturbed by trying to recall statements made by him in the House?
Does the Minister deny that scrap cast iron—large boilers and pieces of boilers—were exported from Haulbowline in the course of the past eight months?
I say most emphatically that no licences for the export of scrap cast iron have been issued to anybody.
I am not talking about licences. I am talking about the scrap iron that went out. I am satisfied that scrap iron did go out.
Statements are not supplementary questions.
Were not 3,800 tons of scrap exported from Cork during 1940 and is not that the same material to which the Minister refers?
I am reasonably satisfied that the Revenue Commissioners are taking all precautions necessary to secure that the materials exported under licence are those in respect of which the licences are issued.
Question 41.
I should like to know if I shall be allowed to answer the question? Will the questions be addressed to me?