§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what arrangements are being made to provide coal for the Dublin poor during the coming winter at a reasonable price?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe shortage of coal in Dublin and elsewhere in Ireland arising from the demands of the Allies and other causes, must be met chiefly by strict economy on the part of the public.1654W Arrangements are also being made to work the coalfields of Ireland to a much larger extent than heretofore. In the distribution of the supplies available first attention will be paid to the requirements of essential works and of the poor. The question of prices is one for the local authorities, who have been empowered to fix prices in consultation with the coal merchants.