asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the circumstances in which officers of his Department informed a general merchant that he was in breach of the law for having retailed butter at 37½p per pound which he had purchased at that price from the manufacturer on 18th October, 1974; why the merchant was told that the retail price should have been 5½p less than the manufacturer had charged him; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Price.
65.
I assume that the question refers to a case about which the Deputy has already made representations to me. In that case, a complaint was received by the prices inspectorate of my Department that the trader had charged 37½p per lb. for butter on 11th October, 1974, when the maximum retail price fixed by the Maximum Prices (Household Goods) (No. 5) Order was 32p per lb. The increased retail price of 37½p per lb. did not become operative until 17th October, 1974. The price increase ex-creamery was effective from 10th October, 1974, but the trader failed to produce evidence as to the price at which he had purchased the butter which he retailed on 11th October, 1974. I understand that he has now agreed to refund 5½p to the complainant.
The information given in the Deputy's question does not appear to be correct. I am satisfied that the investigations carried out by the prices inspectorate in this case were the normal investigations necessary in the case of a complaint involving over-charging.