asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if in view of the recent increases in the prices of a number of commodities he proposes to hold public enquiry into these increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Increases.
46.
In the exercise of my functions under the Prices Act, 1958, I am prepared to appoint a Prices Advisory Committee to investigate price increases in any case in which I am satisfied that such action would be warranted in the public interest.
In view of the widespread increases in the price of numerous commodities in recent weeks, has the Minister not considered it desirable to hold an investigation?
The Minister for Industry and Commerce is examining the case of bread and will, therefore, obviously have to examine flour. He is also considering soap.
And sugar.
Have any of these commodities been investigated by the Prices Advisory Body?
Yes. The Minister will have to consider the report of an advisory committee.
He is on his way to America.
Did we not hear the Minister for Finance yesterday saying he has no interest in this general increase in prices?
The Deputy knows quite well that in the past six years earnings have greatly exceeded increases in the cost of living, while at the same time our exports have increased by a very high percentage. It is obvious that with the greater flow in industry, the present wage and salary increase, which does not come up for review until the end of 2½ years, will not deter us from achieving success in the next five years as in the past five years.
Does the Minister agree with the Minister for Finance and has he, too, no interest in the recent increases?
As I have said, the Minister for Industry and Commerce has adopted a sane attitude to this matter. I would remind the House that the Deputy's side of the House promised tremendous improvements in the cost of living in 1954. The cost of living went up three per cent in that year and in every other year they were in office.
That is not true.
47.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give the commodities and services for which he said in the Dáil he has responsibility in respect of prices, and the commodities or services which have increased in price since (a) the imposition of the two and a half per cent turnover tax and (b) the granting of the twelve per cent wage increase.
As stated in reply to previous questions on the subject, my responsibility in respect of prices is defined in the Prices Act, 1958. As Deputies are doubtless aware, there has been considerable variation from shop to shop in the application of price increases arising from the operation of the turnover tax and it is obviously not practicable to obtain the information sought at (a) of the question. As to (b), increases in prices attributed mainly to increases in labour costs have been notified to me in respect of bread, milk, turf briquettes, cement and sugar.
Is the Minister aware that the Taoiseach made a statement that the economy could stand only an eight per cent increase, and that when I reminded the Minister for Finance of that yesterday, he said nobody should pay any attention to any statement of the Taoiseach?
The Deputy is talking nonsense. The Taoiseach said no such thing.
The Taoiseach did.
The Taoiseach qualified his statement. As the Deputy knows, the question of a 12 per cent increase over a period of 2½ years could not be compared with an increase of eight per cent or nine per cent or any other percentage.
48.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether a list of consumer commodities in which price increases have been recommended has been issued since the imposition of the two and a half per cent turnover tax; the number of commodities on the list; and the minimum and maximum percentage increases proposed.
I have no information about the issue of a list of the kind described in the Deputy's question.
49.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has seen statements to the effect that the licensed vintners intend to increase the price of drinks sold on their premises when Lent is over; whether he has any knowledge of the extent of such increases; if so, what they are; and if he has satisfied himself that they cannot be absorbed from the considerable profits taken by many licensed vintners.
As to the first part of the question, I have seen no authenticated press, or other announcement by vintners of their intentions as to prices when Lent is over. The remaining parts do not, therefore, arise.
50.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the price of bacon to the consumer is likely to increase; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the interests of the consuming public in this matter.
I have no information that the price of bacon to the consumer is likely to increase.
51.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is now satisfied that the increase in the price of bread and flour is unjust; and what steps he will now take under the Prices Act to safeguard the public, having regard to information at his disposal in his Department.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to a Question on 3rd March, 1964 (Vol. 208/1, col. 21) about the price of bread. The examination of the basis of the increase in the price of bread will necessarily involve also an examination of the price of flour.
Why should it take all that length of time?