asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will take steps to ensure that existing stocks in this country of commodities whose prices shall be affected by devaluation shall be offered to the public at predevaluation prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control of Prices.
54.
I would refer the Deputy to the public announcement I have already made in this matter. I see no justification for increases because of devaluation in prices of imported goods paid for prior to devaluation or in the case of goods manufactured from imported raw materials paid for prior to devaluation.
Under the existing form of price control a manufacturer may not increase his price without prior notice to me or an importer or wholesaler increase his margin of profit without such notice. In effect, therefore, an importer or wholesaler is not free to sell at an increased price imported goods paid for prior to devaluation and a manufacturer is not free to increase his prices either if his raw materials were paid for before devaluation.
I will have an immediate investigation made of any apparently unwarranted increases in prices which come to my notice.
Is the Minister aware that certain firms have announced that the price of coal is going up by from £1 to £1 5s 0d per ton and is the Minister making any investigation in that regard?
Yes.
It is being made at present?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that stocks of material are already being charged at higher prices?
Stocks of?
Timber, for example. Certain ironmongers throughout the country have already notified a price increase of five per cent.
I am not aware of this at all.
Shame on you.
If Deputies are aware of cases in which unwarranted increases have taken place, that is, increases in respect of devaluation for products paid for prior to devaluation, and if they will bring them to my attention, they will be dealt with.