asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state, in relation to manufactured goods for which wholesale and/or retail prices are fixed under Orders made by him, the basis on which such prices are fixed, distinguishing between the several types of commodities in relation to which such powers are exercised.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices of Manufactured Goods.
The general basis for fixing wholesale and retail prices is to add to the cost of manufactured goods the margins ruling before the emergency where such margins were considered reasonable. It has, however, sometimes been necessary to modify these margins to meet emergency conditions.
The commodities over which price control has been exercised may be divided broadly into two types. The first is that in which a flat price can be fixed for the manufacturer and includes such commodities as flour, butter, cheese, margarine, fertilisers, etc.
The second is that in which the products are of such a wide variety that it would be impossible to fix individual prices for each. This group consists in the main of cloth, clothing and footwear. In this group the profits of manufacturers are controlled by arrangement and the prices charged by wholesalers and retailers are determined by adding a fixed percentage to the prices charged by manufacturers.
Could the Minister say what the fixed percentage is?
If the Deputy waits for the next question he will get the information.
Is it true that, after the Minister has fixed the allowed margin of profit, and the goods have been stamped with the fixed price in the case of boots and footwear, that certain of the footwear that has been manufactured to be sold at a subsidised price to necessitous persons is now, on the instructions of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, being sold at the fixed price to persons who are not in receipt of assistance at all, thus cutting right across the arrangement made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce in respect of fixed prices for footwear?
The Deputy had better give notice of that question.
Perhaps the Minister would look into the matter in the meantime.