asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the fact that certain traders have increased the prices of clothes and boots since devaluation, he will again control the prices of these articles.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clothes and Boots Prices.
I am not aware that traders have increased the price of clothes. The Cloth, Clothing and Knitting Wool (Maximum Prices) Order, 1947, is still in operation.
I have been concerned regarding recent increases in the price of footwear due to increases in the price of leather and if I should find that these increases are not fully justified I will seriously consider reimposing control. I am satisfied that the increases are not due to devaluation.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is the Minister aware that in rural Ireland at the moment certain unscrupulous traders are using devaluation for the purpose of increasing prices? People with local knowledge can give him information with regard to that.
I shall be delighted if the Deputy will pass on the information to me.
Has the Minister not warned these people already?
I have indeed, and if I can get more detailed information, I will be glad to get it.
Is it not sufficient to indicate it to the Minister in the House? Do we have to go down and give it to him in his room? We give it openly here.
Surely the Deputy does not want me to act upon a general statement. I suggest to the Deputy that if he knows any traders who, to use his own words, are unscrupulously using devaluation in order to force up prices and thereby take unfair profits, surely there is nothing wrong in my asking the Deputy to give me the names and addresses of such people so that I can have the complaints investigated?
Surely the Minister does not require me to indicate the particular traders who are doing it? Surely it is quite sufficient to give general information in this House. I believe such information should be acted on.
I do not care what system the Deputy employs to convey the information to me. I am asking him for the names and addresses of the alleged profiteers. If he gives me those I shall have the complaint investigated.
Did the Minister know the names of the people when he issued the warning?
They may not be the same people.