asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware of the rapid increase in the price of children's clothing; and if he will take steps to fix a control price that will enable the lowly-paid worker to provide the necessary clothing for his children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Children's Clothing.
Mr. Byrne
I am aware that there is a tendency in certain quarters for the prices of children's and other clothing to rise. For this reason I am taking steps to institute a system of price control covering a wide range of all types of clothing. During the emergency manufacturers' prices for goods of the kind have been continually under review and I am satisfied that the prices charged by the great bulk of manufacturers are reasonable. The prices of distributing traders have also been under review and I consider that, on the whole, no undue advantage of the emergency conditions has been taken up to a recent date.
Mr. Byrne
Will the Minister, when fixing a price, have special regard to the case of boys attending school, and have a fixed price that the fathers and mothers can pay? I refer to clothes for boys not exceeding ten years of age.
Regard will be paid to all relevant considerations.
Mr. Byrne
Will the Minister have special regard to the position of parents of boys of that age, where wages are small, so that these boys can be properly clad, whether the parents are able to pay or not. I have seen some children attending schools——
The Deputy may only deal with what is in the question.