asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he is aware that in the beginning of last year the Controller of Prices intervened and succeeded in reducing the price of bellmen's coal in the City of Dublin from 30/- a ton to 29/- a ton; whether he is aware that the present price of bellmen's coal when bought by the bag ranges from 48/- to 53/4 a ton, and when bought by the stone is 53/- a ton; if he will state whether he has caused any inquiry to be made into the circumstances which have occasioned this enormous rise in the price of coal to the poorer classes in the city; and, if so, if he will state what the reasons are; and, if not, if he will state whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Coal.
I am aware that through the intervention of the Controller of Prices the price charged by importers of coal to bellmen in the City of Dublin was reduced at the beginning of last year. My information as regards prices being charged by bellmen to-day does not tally with the suggestion made by the Deputy that coal when bought by the bag ranges from 48/- to 53/4. The Controller of Prices has the price of coal under continual review.
Surely it is possible for the Minister to find out what the prices in Dublin are? If the Controller of Prices intervened to prevent coal being charged for at 30/- per ton, surely you would expect him to keep the situation under review? Does the Minister not know that if the Controller of Prices kept the situation under review he would know that in some parts of Dublin 3/- per bag is being charged and in some parts 3/4 per bag; that where the people have to buy coal by the stone, they are paying 4d. per stone; and that the total result of that is that over the 29/- per ton to which the Controller of Prices had the price reduced in the beginning of last year, there is an addition of 24/4 being paid by the poorer classes of the people?
The Deputy is confusing the prices charged by coal importers to bellmen and the prices charged by bellmen to the consumers. The Controller of Prices intervened on a complaint received by him concerning the price charged to bellmen by importers. He has had no complaint concerning the prices charged by bellmen to consumers. He has no power to intervene or to make inquiry except on a complaint made. In any event, there is no evidence to support the idea that the profits realised by bellmen are excessive.
Is the Minister in a position to say what price is being charged to bellmen by coal exporters at present?
That is a separate question.
Is it not clear to the Minister that the public are being salted in the matter of coal prices by the tax on imported coal and being restricted to coal purchased in the British market? Will the Minister take steps to ask the Controller of Prices to do something to prevent the public from being salted in the present manner?
They can buy turf.
For inferior British coal the public are being forced to pay a fancy price.
Did I understand the Minister to say that the Controller of Prices has no power to act unless he receives a complaint from a member of the public? Is it not true to say that the Minister can himself, departmentally, refer any price for any commodity in respect of which he has legitimate doubt, for examination by the Controller of Prices?
No. The Minister has no power to require the Controller of Prices to undertake an investigation. He has power in relation to the Prices Commission. The Controller of Prices deals with the public only.
Can the Minister not refer it to the Prices Commission and, if necessary, have an investigation made?
I am not satisfied that there is any need for such an investigation.
Am I correct in believing that the Minister represents part of the City of Dublin?
I am not responsible for what the Deputy believes.
Is the office of the Controller of Prices filled at the present moment?
I have had no complaint that bellmen's profits are excessive, and I do not think they are.
Has the Minister any information as to what price bellmen are charging? If he does not accept Deputy Mulcahy's figure, can he supply any figure of any kind?
I could not say.
Will the Minister recommend the Executive Council to lift the restriction on British coal?
That is a separate question.