asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the Fair Trade Commission is yet in a position to act on the representations made over two years ago by RGDATA on the competitive conditions in the trade; and whether any action is contemplated to control the spread of supermarket monopoly in the distributive trade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Distributive Trade Monopolies.
53.
Mr. O'Leary
I understand that the Fair Trade Commission have under consideration at the present time representations made by RGDATA and by a number of other trade organisations in regard to various matters relating to the grocery trade. An examination of these questions has involved a review of the Restrictive Trade Practices (Groceries) Order, 1956 and the Restrictive Trade Practices (Groceries) Order, 1956 (Amendment) Order, 1958, and has necessitated detailed discussions with the different sectors of the trade. I am informed that the Commission hope to complete their review of the grocery trade in the near future.
As regards the second part of the Deputy's question there is no evidence before me to show that the spread of supermarkets has given rise to monopolistic conditions in the distributive trade or that any situation exists in this connection which calls for action by me.
Mr. O'Leary
If the trade union concerned were to give evidence of what they regard as monopolistic conditions in this trade in the various towns, would the Minister promise that the Fair Trade Commission would examine the position or is the Fair Trade Commission empowered to examine the position?
I certainly would have the position examined. In fact, the Government have the position under observation and would be glad to have any evidence the trade unions might have to offer.
Would the Minister now say that he has changed the view he expressed about one and a half years ago when I asked a similar question and that there could be some control over the spread of supermarkets?
I do not see how that arises on the question.
It is the same question.
Tesco is moving in now.