asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has caused any inquiry to be made, or whether he intends to have an inquiry set up, into the production of anthracite coal in the Leinster coalfields.

The reserves of coal in this coalfield have been the subject of extensive inquiry and a report on the results has been presented to this House. I am aware that anthracite producers have been experiencing difficulties in recent times and representations in regard to this situation are at present under consideration.

Would the Minister say if he intends to hold an inquiry into the actual production methods of anthracite in the Leinster coalfield? It is not a question of the surplus that has been there for some time but of the actual production methods.

Is the Minister aware that everybody is satisfied about the coal potential and that there is considerable concern and dissatisfaction as to the means adopted up to this in regard to the production of coal? It is the production and the best methods of production that concern everybody in the locality. Will there be any investigation into that aspect?

The problem which the mines have is not one of production but one of distribution and sale, one of markets, and that is being handled by the Minister for Transport and Power.

It is more than a matter of sales; it is the fact that production has not been properly set up. Would the Minister request the Committee on Industrial Organisation to investigate the anthracite industry in general and send a report to him?

Over 1,500 families are suffering serious hardship.

It is not due to a problem of production; it is a matter of marketing. Production is not down.

Will the Minister have regard to the wishes of the workers at the Wolfhill Collieries that their industry should be nationalised?

This would not change the marketing position. The problem is one of marketing.

Costings are related to production methods.

32.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received any application for either grants or loans from firms engaged in the production of anthracite coal in recent weeks.

No.