asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) whether his attention has been drawn to the comparison between food costs in 1934 and 1949 as published by a Dublin newspaper on the 26th November, 1949; (b) what steps have been taken by his Department to prevent the persistent rise in the cost of household and other commodities, and (c) whether he will take drastic steps to protect the public against this persistent inflation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Costs.
I have seen the Press report referred to but I would direct the Deputy's attention to the fact that many of the commodities in question are available to the public at prices lower than those indicated in the report.
The increase which has occurred in the price of household and other commodities is attributable very largely to a substantial rise in the landed cost of imported raw materials and manufactured goods in relation to which it is not, of course, possible to exercise any control. So far as manufacturing and distributing costs are concerned, the Deputy may be assured that it is my policy, wherever it is necessary, to apply official control to the commodities concerned, and all practicable precautions are taken to ensure that the profits earned by the trade interests concerned do not exceed a reasonable level, and that the commodities are made available to the consumer at the lowest possible price.