S.I. No. 370/1947 - Mild Steel and Iron (Maximum Prices) Order, 1947.

STATUTORY RULES AND ORDERS. 1947. No. 370.

MILD STEEL AND IRON (MAXIMUM PRICES) ORDER, 1947.

I, SEÁN F. LEMASS, Minister for Industry and Commerce, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by Article 31 of the Emergency Powers Order, 1939 (S. R. & O. No. 224 of 1939), as amended by the Emergency Powers (No. 173) Order, 1942 (S. R. & O. No. 166 of 1942) (which Orders are continued in force by the Supplies and Services (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1946 (No. 22 of 1946)) and of every and any other power me in this behalf enabling, hereby order as follows:—

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Mild Steel and Iron (Maximum Prices) Order, 1947.

(2) This Order shall come into operation on the 14th day of November, 1947.

2. In this Order:—

the expression " mild steel " and the word " iron " mean black mild steel or iron, respectively, which is of any of the following descriptions, that is to say :—

(a) rounds or rods (including two or more rounds or rods twisted together) which are in coils or lengths (whether straight or otherwise) which are not less than three-sixteenths of an inch and not more than one and three-eighth inches in diameter ;

(b) squares (including two or more squares twisted together) which are in lengths (whether straight or otherwise) and are not less than one-quarter of an inch and not more than one and one-quarter inches in thickness at each side ;

(c) flats which are in lengths (whether straight or otherwise) and are not less than one inch and not more than three inches in width and are not less than three-sixteenths of an inch and not more than one inch in thickness ;

(d) equal angles which are not less than three-quarters of an inch by three-quarters of an inch and are not more than two inches by two inches ;

the expression " authorised officer " means

(i) any officer of Customs and Excise ;

(ii) any member of the Gárda Síochána ;

(iii) any person who is an authorised officer for the purposes of the Emergency Powers (General Rationing Provisions) Order, 1944 (S. R. & O. No. 130 of 1944).

3. References in this Order to selling shall be construed as including references to agreeing or offering to sell or to inviting an offer to buy.

4.—(1) No person shall sell by wholesale mild steel or iron at a price exceeding:—

(a) in the case of mild steel or iron manufactured within the State, a price calculated by adding to the cost of the mild steel or iron to the original purchaser thereof from a manufacturer a wholesale margin calculated at the rate of £5 per ton ;

(b) in the case of imported mild steel or iron, a price calculated by adding to the cost of the mild steel or iron to the original importer a wholesale margin calculated at the rate of £5 per ton.

(2) The price specified in paragraph (1) of this Article shall be deemed to be a " free on rail " price.

5. No person shall sell by retail mild steel or iron at a price exceeding:—

(a) in the case of mild steel or iron in respect of which the retailer is entitled to a wholesale margin under Article 6 of this Order, a price calculated by adding to the price specified in Article 4 of this Order a retail margin calculated at the rate of £5 per ton ;

(b) in any other case, a price calculated by adding to the price paid by the retailer for the mild steel or iron a retail margin calculated at the rate of £5 per ton.

6. Any person who in respect of any mild steel or iron under any set of conditions enjoyed the benefit of both a wholesale margin and a retail margin on and before the 1st day of October, 1947, shall continue to secure the benefit of both a wholesale margin and a retail margin, both calculated in accordance with the provisions of this Order, on such mild steel or iron under the same set of conditions and, subject to this provision, no other person shall secure the benefit of both a wholesale margin and a retail margin on any mild steel or iron under any set of conditions.

7. No person shall sell any mild steel or iron unless there is clearly indicated by him on every quotation, estimate, invoice or other document used in connection with the sale, the country of origin of the mild steel or iron.

8. Every person who carries on or is employed in connection with the business of selling any mild steel or iron is hereby required from time to time :—

(a) to produce, at the request of an authorised officer, to such authorised officer any books or documents relating to the importation, acquisition (including purchase) disposal (including sale) or use of any mild steel or iron which are in his power, possession or procurement, to permit such authorised officer to inspect and take extracts from such books or documents, and give to such authorised officer any information which such authorised officer may reasonably require with regard to any entries in such books or documents ;

(b) to afford to an authorised officer all reasonable facilities for the inspection and measurement of any stocks of mild steel or iron held by such first-mentioned person;

(c) to give to any authorised officer any information, which such authorised officer may reasonably require, in regard to the importation, acquisition (including purchase) disposal (including sale) or use of any mild steel or iron.

9. The Emergency Powers (Mild Steel) (Maximum Prices) Order, 1946 (S. R. & O. No. 20 of 1946) is hereby revoked.

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 12th day of November, 1947.

(Signed) SEÁN F. LEMASS,

Minister for Industry and Commerce.