asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what steps are being taken by his Department to curb the present inflated prices of houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Prices.
52.
Investigation of increases in house prices are made by my Department on receipt of complaints that such increases are excessive. Within the powers available to me under the Prices Acts to control house prices, I have succeeded in having some of these increase reduced.
Would the Minister state if any investigation is carried out in his Department into the prices charged for houses irrespective of complaints, or independent of complaints, being received by his Department or must he wait for complaints to his Department before he looks into the matter?
We act on complaints, but not from private individuals. We have acted on complaints from local authorities.
Is there any investigation by the Minister's Department and would he think that an increase of £600 is in order?
I could not hazard a guess on that but from our investigation in the main increases which took place in relation to materials and labour were not unreasonable. The increase which took place in regard to sites was unreasonable.
The remaining Question will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
Would the Minister be a bit more explicit when he says he has succeeded in having some prices reduced? Was this a success in a small way or in a big way because certainly it is very hard for people who are setting out to buy houses?