asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that distributors have recently received price lists in respect of various foods and household commodities which show gross increases on the prices previously obtaining; and what steps he will take to stop such increases which will cause great hardship among the community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Increases.
25.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question in Dáil Éireann on 30th January, 1964—Vol. 207/2, columns 264/266— on the impact of the ninth round of salaries and wages increases.
Is the Minister aware that within the past fortnight retailers throughout the country have been issued with price lists from wholesalers in which exorbitant increases in various products, in my opinion, have been stated? The products included soups, salads, sauces, beans, peas, tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, jams and marmalades of all sorts, to say nothing of the other increases in bread and meat? In view of this price list, which is available, will the Minister state what steps he proposes to take to prevent these increases which range from ten to 25 per cent over the price previously in operation or have we to take the decision that the 12 per cent increase which has been given is to be totally absorbed and that another demand will have to come in order to safeguard housewives?
The Deputy knows well that the Minister for Industry and Commerce has made appeals to all manufacturers——
Deputies
Appeals.
——who were so able to try to absorb as much as possible of the ninth round wage increase. Deputies opposite may laugh but in the past five or six years——
(Interruptions.)
Appealing does nothing. You codded the people in Cork and Kildare.
Deputies opposite will also know that since that period, exports have more than doubled. Deputy McQuillan knows very well that we have managed to have——
It is amazing that none of these increases took place until after the Cork and Kildare by-elections.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce made an appeal to all manufacturers capable of doing it——
Will you appeal to the old age pensioner not to eat?
——to do their best to try to absorb as much of the extra cost as possible.
Will the State companies abide by that exhortation?
The argument put forward by the Minister for Transport and Power and by the Minister for Industry and Commerce was that competition between retailers would absorb a great deal of the increase in costs. In the price list which I have just told the House about, and copies of which are available, is shown the increase amongst all the wholesalers of the different commodities; in other words, all the brands of soups, marmalades, jams, and so on, are going up in price. May I mention another one to the Minister and this has to do with household goods which affect the woman of the house all the time? There is an increase in the price of crockery. The price of even the ordinary cup in the house has gone up by 15 to 20 per cent. The Government no longer have any control of prices and are prepared to allow the country to career into inflation, without a hand at the wheel to check it.
The Deputy is making a speech.
I want to put this question now to the Taoiseach.
This is not a question to the Taoiseach.
I want an explanation from the Minister for Transport and Power. How is it that on Monday the Taoiseach is reported as stating that price increases are likely——
Quotations may not be made.
——while on yesterday's paper——
The Deputy may not quote.
——the Minister for Industry and Commerce is reported as saying that he deplores the fatalistic attitude that prices must be raised. Which of them are we to believe—the Taoiseach or the Minister for Industry and Commerce—or is there any longer Cabinet responsibility on this matter? We have the Taoiseach saying on Monday that prices must go up and yesterday the Minister for Industry and Commerce said he deplores that——
The Deputy is not asking a question at all; he is making a statement. Question No. 26.
There are Ministers here saying that if the Chair does not put me out, they will. I do not think that should be tolerated.
I have called Question No. 26.
What about the bus fares? Will the Minister for Transport and Power just say a few words now to the people of Ballyfermot on the subject of the increase in the bus fares?
Next question.