asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the raw materials that have been reduced in price since 30th June, 1974; and the consumer goods that should now be reduced in price following those reductions.
Ceisteanna——Questions. Oral Answers. - Raw Material Prices.
161.
There have been reductions since June last in world prices of tin, copper, lead, copra, merino wool, rubber, cotton and hides and skins but it would not be practicable to list the very large number of products in which these materials are used. The National Prices Commission keep such developments in world prices under constant review with the object of effecting reductions in prices of products concerned where feasible. I should point out however that increases in other costs have had the effect in many cases of counterbalancing reductions in the cost of particular materials.
I am a little surprised at not having heard meat included in the reduction, because cattle prices have fallen dramatically since June?
With respect to the Deputy, the terms of the question— raw materials that have been reduced in price do not so imply. If we were punning we might say that meat, until it was cooked, was a raw material. But, in the sense of the question, it is not a raw material.
May I express the same view as Deputy Crinion and say that I am rather surprised that fruit— currants, raisins and sultanas—are not included in that list, as I understand the prices of these items have been reduced?
With respect to the Deputy, this is a matter of definition. One might say that fruit was a raw material until it was cooked, or that currants, sultanas and raisins were raw materials for use in Christmas puddings. In the sense of the question, raw material is generally understood to be something used in manufacturing industry to produce an end product. They are not normally included in that category; I admit it is one of the ambiguities of categories.
Will the fact that so many minerals have come down in price affect the situation vis-à-vis the mining companies and the negotiations with them?
I do not think this arises under the question.