asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has received a resolution from the Dublin Council of Trade Unions viewing with concern the drastic increase in prices of essential goods which the application of the turnover tax has created, and calling on him to set up under the Prices Act, 1958 machinery for the public investigation and control of such increases; if so, when he received such a resolution; whether he has replied to the Council, and, if so, when; and what action he proposes to take with regard to the subject matter of the resolution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Investigation and Control of Price Increases.
19.
A letter conveying the resolution referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 18th November, 1963 and an acknowledgment was issued to the Secretary of the Dublin Council of Trade Unions on 19th November, 1963. A further letter on the subject, received on 28th November, 1963, was replied to by me on 3rd December, 1963.
Regarding the last part of the Deputy's question, I would refer him to my reply to a question on 12th November, 1963 (Volume 205, Column 1239/1240) in which I outlined measures taken by me in relation to the display of certain commodity prices and the investigation of prices by the Fair Trade Commission. Complaints about price increases, in the guise of turnover tax, are being investigated by officers of my Department appointed by me under section 23 of the Prices Act, 1958. Inquiries are also proceeding as to the justification for price increases made by certain manufacturers and in this connection the Deputy will have seen the announcement of the appointment of a Prices Advisory Committee to inquire into the increase in the price of soap about which I have received a number of complaints.
This resolution adverted to the position in general and emanated from the council which represents 40,000 working-class members and, if their families are taken into account, the number is considerable. The purpose of the resolution was to ensure there would be price control but not through the operations of the Fair Trade Commission. Could the Minister indicate if he is prepared to institute price control?
The Minister made a detailed statement about that in the House yesterday. I could read out again the list of steps he proposes to take but I think the Deputy should be aware of them.
I am anxious to ascertain if the Minister is prepared to institute price control, not by means of the Fair Trade Commission because its operations are too long and too involved. We want immediate price control.
The Minister has made a perfectly clear declaration on that situation. He also replied to the Dublin Council of Trade Unions on the subject in his letter of 3rd December which I have here.
Surely the investigation will not stop at an investigation merely into the price of soap?
If complaints are received from the public about manufacturers' prices of other commodities being increased unduly, the Minister can apply the system of examination by the Prices Advisory Committee to those commodities.
Surely soap is not an immediate question. Lots of slips are being made in this connection and that may apply to soap. What the Dublin Council of Trade Unions is anxious to ensure is that there would be price control on essential commodities like food and clothing. Can the Minister indicate if steps will be taken to ensure that that control will be instituted immediately?
The Minister made a very clear statement on that last night. He is taking eight seperate steps to deal with this matter and the Deputy should know them by now.
May I ask the Minister if the eight separate steps are not all a fraudulent cover-up to divert public attention from the fact that the increase in the essential commodities, food, fuel, clothing and medicines, is the result of the Fianna Fáil turnover tax?
That does not arise relevantly on the Question.
It has been indicated that I should know what the Minister has announced——
I have allowed the Deputy to ask three or four supplementary questions. I cannot allow this to go on all the evening.
I am not suggesting you should.
I am the authority on the number of supplementary questions that may be asked.
This is a very important matter.
I am calling Question No. 20.
I should like an opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
It will be under discussion here again next Wednesday. The Deputy can make his views known then.