asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of complaints his Department have received in the period 31st March, 1971, to 31st March, 1972, with regard to high prices for houses; and whether his Department investigated these complaints to ascertain whether or not the prices were exorbitant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Prices.
83.
During the period 31st March, 1971, to 31st March, 1972, I received six complaints about increases in house prices. All these complaints were investigated and the amounts of the increases made were found to be justified by increased costs.
I received no complaints about excessive prices for houses.
Should complaints be sent directly to the Minister?
Yes. As opposed to whom?
Should they be sent to the Minister or to the Prices Commission? Should complaints be sent direct to the Minister? I am speaking about complaints about the exorbitant prices for houses. Is there some place to which these complaints should be sent or directed?
Normally if there were complaints of this nature I take it that I would be at the receiving end of a number of them. some of the complaints would be addressed to the Minister for Local Government.
To whom would people normally address those complaints?
I am not able to say to whom the people would address them.
Could the Minister now tell the public, if they have complaints, to whom those complaints should be addressed? It is as simple as that.
To me.
Surely these complaints are being dealt with by the National Prices Commission?
Not yet. My Prices Amendment Bill deals with houose price controls. We have had the Second Stage of that Bill, and the Committee Stage is coming up.
If the complaints were sent to the National Prices Commission would they have to send them to the Minister?
At this stage the National Price Commission have not the power. I have not the power at present to control the price of houses.
To whom should the complaints be sent?
To me, because I propose to take that power.
The Minister said he received complaints and investigated them?
Yes.
The Minister had the power to investigate and make recommendations accordingly?
Yes.
The Minister had the power?
Power to investigate is one thing, but power to control is a different thing. Sometimes I ask the Prices Commission to investigate them for me.
If they are doing the work, would it not be better to send complaints to them?
(Interruptions.)
We are not here to argue the rights and wrongs of this this evening. We are here to get questions answered. Question No. 84. Everything else is out of order. The Minister will answer Question No. 84.