asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the 3d bar of chocolate has been increased to 4d, an increase of 33? per cent; that the 6d bar is now 7d, an increase of over 16 per cent; and that the shilling bar is now 1s 3d, an increase of 25 per cent; and if he will give details of the most recent increase permitted to chocolate and confectionery manufacturers, stating the basis for it and how it is distributed in the trade.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Chocolate.
60.
The price increases mentioned are generally correct, but some increases have been spread over a period.
With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, particulars of the principal price increases on chocolate confectionery of which I was notified and to which I raised no objection in the period from May, 1968, will be circulated with the Official Report. These increases were necessary to compensate for increased costs.
So far as I am aware, the usual traders' margins apply to the increased prices.
STATEMENT showing principal increases in prices made by chocolate confectionery manufacturers, with the agreement of the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in the six months period from May, 1968.
|
Firm |
Commodity |
Rate of Increase (Retail except where shown otherwise) |
|
Clarnico-Murray Ltd. |
16 lines of sweets and chocolate (excluding chocolate bars). |
Increases ranging from 1d. qtr. lb. to 6d. lb. |
|
Fry-Cadbury (Ireland) Ltd. |
Chocolate Drinks |
From 1d. on ¼ 1b. packet (retail) to 8d. on 4 1b. tin (wholesale). |
|
Chocolate Blocks/Bars |
1d. and 1½d. each. |
|
|
Cream Tablets |
Mainly 1d. each. |
|
|
Assortments (in boxes, bags and cartons). |
From 1d. per ¼ 1b. bag to 1/6d. per 1½ lb. box. |
|
|
Biscuits |
From ½d. to 3d. each. |
|
|
“99” Flake |
8d. per pack of 4 dozen flakes (wholesale). |
|
|
Weight Reductions |
||
|
3 lines |
3 drams. |
|
|
Rowntree-Mackintosh (Ireland) Ltd. |
Sweets and Chocolates |
1/1d. per carton (wholesale) |
|
9 lines |
which may include 1, 3 or 6 boxes of chocolates varying in weight from 1¾ 1bs. to 4 1bs. |
|
|
5 lines |
From 8½d. to 1/- per carton (wholesale) which may include 1, 3 or 6 boxes of chocolates varying in weight from 1? 1bs. to 3 1bs. |
|
|
Urney Chocolates Ltd. |
Chocolate Bars |
1d. each. |
|
Chocolate Bars, etc. |
1d. each (incl. weight increase). |
|
|
6 lines |
Would the Minister think 33? per cent a proper increase?
In so far as the increases referred to are correct, the Deputy may take it that these increases were allowed for good and sufficient reason because a case was made which justified the increases. Deputies tend to forget that it would be possible for me in the exercise of my powers of price control to be a good deal more rigid with regard to increases allowed but too much rigidity could result in putting many people out of employment. That has always to be borne in mind in relation to price increases. We always endeavour to make the manufacturers absorb some of the cost.
I cannot accept that. The Minister is permitting a big increase. Is he aware that many manufacturers, as well as increasing the price, are reducing the size of the product? This is regarded as legal. Is the Minister taking this into consideration? It should be mandatory to disclose the weight of the products. This is just another devious device to increase prices.
That is another question. The Deputy has touched closely on one of the big difficulties in regard to prices at retail level.
They do not have to apply for an increase in price if they reduce the size of the product. Is that correct?
It is not quite correct.
In actual fact they do both and the rich get richer and the poor poorer.