asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the percentage increase in the price of imported wallpapers since November, 1967; and what factors caused this increase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Imported Wallpapers.
83.
Importers or wholesalers are not obliged to notify me in advance of price increases unless they propose to increase the margin of profit they take. No such notification has been received regarding wallpapers.
Imported wallpapers come mainly from Britain. I understand that wallpaper base, a principal material in the manufacture of wallpaper, is made from ingredients obtained from countries which did not devalue their currency in line with Britain and this country. This situation could give rise to an increase in the cost of imported wallpaper.
Would the Minister or his Department investigate this? It needs only a simple inquiry.
What kind of investigation does the Deputy have in mind?
To see whether or not the margin of profit was increased?
Yes, I shall have it examined.