asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the total number of food items which increased in price in the past 21 months; and the number of food items reduced in price for the same period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Prices.
54.
Particulars of all price increases—including increases on foodstuffs—recommended to me by the National Prices Commission in the period from 15th October, 1971, when it was established, up to 31st October, 1972, are available from the published reports of the commission which are in the Oireachtas Library and which are also circulated to each Deputy. On the day on which each monthly report of the commission was published, I indicated in a press statement that I had accepted the commission's recommendations for price increases for the firms concerned and that I would raise no objection to the implementation of these increases.
In the period from 1st February, 1971, up to the date of establishment of the commission I indicated, in monthly press statements, that I had raised no objections to a total of 61 price increases involving foodstuffs.
I should make it clear that increases in prices of imported foodstuffs do not come to my notice unless the importer proposes to increase his margin of profit. I have no control over the prices received by producers of primary agricultural and horticultural products.
Reductions in food prices are not notified to my Department and I am not therefore in a position to give the information sought by the Deputy about such reductions.