asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the output of coal from the Castlecomer colliery, declined, in 1946, by about 7,000 tons, as several smaller collieries, in the Leinster coalfield, are permitted to sell coal at over 20/- a ton more than the Castlecomer concern may charge, and that, as a result of this position, these smaller collieries have, by paying higher wages, attracted to their employment, in recent years, 52 colliers who left their employment at Castlecomer; whether he is also aware that the output per man-shift at these smaller collieries is considerably less than at Castlecomer; and whether, having regard to the present fuel position and the desirability of securing maximum production of coal, he will fix the price which colliery concerns may charge for their coal output at a standard figure for all concerns.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Castlecomer Colliery Output.
I am not aware that there has been any decline in the number of workers employed in the Castlecomer collieries in recent years or that there has been any appreciable reduction in output.
The prices which may be charged by all the more important collieries are controlled. These prices are related to production costs. If the selling price of coal were to be fixed at the same level for all collieries, certain of them would either earn excessive profits or, alternatively, a number of them would be compelled to discontinue production, having regard to the variation in production costs as between one colliery and another. I am of opinion that the existing arrangement whereby the selling price of coal is related to production costs in the individual colliery is the only practicable one, and I am not prepared to fix a uniform price for coal at all collieries.