asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has received representations from mineral water manufacturers protesting against the charge of 35/3 per gross for 7-oz. mineral water bottles, whichare being sold by the same firm at 22/3 per gross in Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to ensure that supplies of these bottles will be made available to Irish mineral water manufacturers at prices comparable to those charged to mineral water manufacturers in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mineral Waters Bottle Prices.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.
As I stated in reply to a question on this subject last week, the affairs of the company engaged in the manufacture of glass bottles in this country have been the subject of inquiry by the Prices Advisory Body on a number of occasions. The prices charged on the home market have been arrived at after taking into account all relevant considerations, and represent a smaller proportionate increase on pre-war prices than the average increase in manufacturing costs during the same period. I am satisfied that, if for any reason, the company is unable to maintain export sales, an increase in home market prices will be unavoidable.