asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the average quantity and price of iron imported per quarter before the war, (b) the total quantity and price per ton of iron imported in each quarter since 1st January, 1941, (c) the corresponding quantities acquired by the Army for the same periods.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Iron Imports; Army Acquistions.
The average quantities imported in each quarter of the 12 months period July, 1938, to June, 1939, and the c.i.f. values were for pig iron 1,619 tons, £4 14s. 11d. per ton, and for bars and rods 5,330 tons, £11 3s. 7d. per ton. The Deputy will have observed that subsequent to August, 1939, a summary only of the values of imports and exports has been issued. It has been decided not to publish, for the present, more details than are given in this summary. With regard to the last part of the Deputy's question I am informed by the Minister for Defence that it would not be in the public interest to furnish the information.