asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why flour, wheatenmeal, bread, confectionery, fresh fruit, vegetables, milk and mineral waters have been excluded by the Fair Trade Commission from the current inquiry into the supply and distribution of grocery goods and provisions; and if the commission propose to hold a separate inquiry into the supply and distribution of these items.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fair Trade Commission Inquiry.
I am informed by the Fair Trade Commission that, in deciding upon the scope of the current inquiry, which is being held on their own initiative, they endeavoured to include only those goods for which the channels of distribution were broadly similar. For this, and other reasons peculiar to some of the items, the goods mentioned by the Deputy were excluded from the scope of the current inquiry.
With regard to the last part of the Deputy's question, I understand from the commission that they have taken no decision as to whether separate inquiries will be held in relation to these goods. Should they so decide, they are required by the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1953, to give due notice of intention to do so.