asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that both public bodies and private persons building houses in County Kerry have to pay two sets of profits in the price of their materials, one to the trader and the other to the "ring" which controls their supply; and that the working of this "ring" will cost Kerry County Council at least £100,000; and, if so, whether he will take immediate action to stop the activities of this "ring."
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restrictive Trade Practices.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the general inquiry which he stated, in reply to a question on the 20th July last, was being made by his Department into restrictive practices on trade has yet been completed; and, if so, whether he intends introducing proposals for legislation to control such practices.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together. I am aware that certain restrictive practices have been adopted in the distribution of building materials throughout the country with consequential adverse effects to the community but I have no information as to the results so far as the Kerry County Council is concerned. I am seriously concerned about practices of this kind but I have no statutory powers to intervene. The general inquiry to which the Deputy refers has been made and the action to be taken in regard to restrictive practices in trade is now under consideration.
Is the Minister aware that in reply to a previous question he said that this matter was under consideration? From his reply now it would appear that it is still under consideration. We in Kerry are anxious to bring this matter to a head because some of the people concerned in the building trade have been refused licences by the manufacturing side. We are prepared to supply evidence of the existence of these rings if the Minister can bring the matter to head once and for all.
Is the Minister aware that in reply to a question by me on 20th July he expressed himself as concerned with this position? The Minister now expresses himself as being still concerned but will he give us any indication as to when he will be able to take action in the matter?
Deputies will appreciate that this is a very serious and important matter. There is no doubt that those restrictive practices are in operation and that attempts are being made to extend them.
The Minister told us already.
If the Deputy wants a reply, perhaps he will allow me to give it. It is necessary that all the statements that are made to us should be checked. It is necessary and desirable that the fullest possible information about these restrictive trade practices and the extent of them should be collected. It is necessary that when they are collected they should be put before the Government and, if the Government are satisfied that legislation is necessary in order to put an end to those undesirable restrictive practices, then that is to be done. I would like to assure the two Deputies concerned and the House that there is nobody more anxious than I am to put an end to these restrictive trade practices at the earliest possible moment but, on the other hand, I feel that I am bound to check every piece of information that comes before me so as to be sure that when I do take steps I am on firm ground.
The purport of the Minister's reply to me in July last was that he accepted that this position existed and that he was considering what steps should be taken. We do not seem to have made any progress from the position that existed in July.
There was a Bill introduced to deal with that in 1947.
That is the Efficiency Bill?
That is right.
It is only right to say that the Deputy was considering this for many years but never introduced any Bill to deal with restrictive practices.
It is in that Bill, if the Minister chooses to study it again.