Vol. 228 No. 11
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when his Department expect to complete inquiries into the recently reported increase in loan charges of building societies; and if it is his intention to announce the result of such inquiries having regard to the widespread public disquiet.
29.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any plans relating to, or if he will arrange for a revision of the Building Societies Acts with a view to enabling the regulation of rates of interest charged by building societies.
30.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will request the building societies, which have declared their intention to increase the rate of interest on money already loaned to house purchasers, to desist from imposing increases pending the outcome of the inquiries being made by him.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 29 and 30 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to questions on this matter on 18th May, 1967. I am not in a position to say when the inquiries will be completed but the matter is being dealt with as expeditiously as possible. Until the inquiries have been completed, I shall not be in a position to decide whether any action on my part is called for.
I understand that the proposed increases are not intended to come into operation for several weeks yet.
