asked the Taoiseach if he will state (a) the quantity of coal mined at Arigna, Castlecomer and Slievardagh; (b) the number of men employed in each of the mines during 1951, and (c) the price realised ex-colliery per ton for the coal sold in 1951.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Production and Price of Irish Coal.
As stated in my reply on 30th January last to an identical question asked by the Deputy, the particulars asked for cannot be given since the Statistics Act, 1926, does not permit the disclosure of information about individual concerns without the prior consent of the concerns in question, which has not been given in this case.
It is provisionally estimated that in 1951 the production of coal by all mines was 174,000 tons and that the average number of wage-earners employed was 1,270. Definitive figures of total production and employment and particulars of the average price per ton ex-colliery of coal mined in that year will not be available until the annual census of industrial production returns for that year have been compiled.
What about the last portion of the question? I asked about the price ex-colliery.
Particulars of the average price per ton ex-colliery of coal mined in 1951, will not be available until the census of industrial production returns for that year have been compiled.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the price of anthracite coal from Castlecomer is £11 per ton while Welsh anthracite coal is selling in Cork City for £10 7s. 6d. a ton?
I am not so aware.
This is a matter which should be investigated. We were told last year that the price ex-colliery was £3 10s. per ton.
A question about discrepancies in the price of coal is not one to be dealt with by the Statistics Office. It should be addressed elsewhere.
When I asked a similar question last January I was told that the price of coal was £13 per ton. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that anthracite coal from Castlecomer is selling at £11 per ton and that anthracite coal from Wales is selling at £10 7s. 6d. a ton in Cork City?
And is he further aware that when I directed the attention of the Tánaiste to it four months ago he said that he was looking into the matter?