asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state when it is intended to commence publication of an index number showing the general movement of wholesale prices in the Free State in accordance with the obligations accepted under the International Convention relating to economic statistics approved by the Dáil on June 11th, 1930.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free State Wholesale Prices.
Three series of index numbers which show the trend of wholesale prices in Saorstát Eireann have been published for the past few years, viz., (1) the import price index number; (2) the export price index number (both of which are published in the annual Trade and Shipping Report), and (3) the index number of agricultural prices (published annually in the Irish Trade Journal). Monthly index numbers of import prices have been published from January 1924 to December 1929. It is recognised that monthly series of both export and agricultural price index numbers would be desirable, but the seasonal elements in agriculture introduce considerable technical difficulties into their construction. These difficulties are in process of being solved and it is hoped that monthly series of export and agricultural price index numbers will become available soon. I am advised, however, that sufficient progress has been made in the production of these index numbers to fulfil our obligations under the International Convention. It was generally recognised when the Convention was signed that each country might require more or less time to bring into effect the re-arrangements which the Convention involved.