asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has received representations from electrical traders of Monaghan to the effect that they are being deprived of their livelihood by the terms offered, and selling methods employed, by the E.S.B. in the sale of electrical appliances; and whether he will consider requesting the E.S.B. to have due regard for the legitimate interests of the independent electrical contractors in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Electrical Appliances in Monaghan.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.
The trading activities of the E.S.B. have been undertaken under statutory powers conferred on the board by the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927 and are, therefore, a matter in which I have no function and have no authority to intervene. I have, however, made inquiries and have been assured by the board that due regard is always had to the legitimate interests of independent electrical contractors. As to terms of sale the board inform me that they adhere to the manufacturers' list prices.
Am I correct in believing that the Minister has a general responsibility for the welfare of the legitimate interests of the mercantile community and, in pursuit of that general responsibility, may I ask him if he considers that in country towns, where small electrical factors are conducting a legitimate business, the system of selling electrical appliances on instalments to be collected with the meter and light rent constitutes a form of competition against which ordinary merchants in country towns can reasonably be expected to compete?
The Deputy does not appear to be aware that, following my intervention in that connection in 1953, an agreement was made, between the Irish Electrical Traders' Association under which the board's hire purchase facilities are available to electrical traders.
Am I to understand then that an electrical trader who sells an electric fitting can arrange with the E.S.B. to make the collection on his behalf?
The board will pay the electrical trader the full price of the goods and arrange for the collection of the instalments on the same system as if they sold it directly.
That is very helpful.