asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is satisfied that the statutory orders Nos. 167 to 171 made by him on 26th June, 1973 are properly applicable and in the best interests of the consumers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Stability Orders.
70.
I am satisfied that the orders to which the Deputy refers are properly applicable. They are calculated to assist in maintaining price stability and are, therefore, in the best interests of the consumers.
Can the Minister state if he has looked at paragraph 3 in Order No. 167 and in Order No. 168? Those orders refer to the stabilisation of profit margins for importers and wholesalers and profit margins for retailers. I would point out to the Minister that the fixed price profit margin he has ordered must apply even if the price is reduced. Even if the price to the importer and the retailer is reduced, the fact is there is a fixed margin which they must charge. The figure cannot be reduced and, therefore, it is unfair. Is the Minister aware of this?
The Minister is so aware. I wish that the point the Deputy is making had more substance. Unfortunately, it does not have much substance because in the existing raging world inflation the number of things we import whose price is likely to fall over the price on the starting day, 23rd June, is extremely small. When I introduced these measures I made it clear I would be very happy to lift their application and that I would do so as soon as we had good evidence that inflation was under control. Part of the accruing evidence that it was under control would be precisely the kind of drop that would be measured in products coming in at cheaper rates. If that started to happen on a significant scale, I am sure the Deputy would be happy, as I would be happy, and I would promptly lift the order. I wish it was a more real point in existing world circumstances.
There was no problem why, when making the order, the maximum amount should not have been put in.
An argument is being raised at Question Time.
Is the Minister aware that under the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement a certain number of articles imported into this country, about which he complained for so long, were reduced in price as from 1st July, 1973, and that by this order of the 23rd June, he prevented a reduced profit from being taken on those articles? As Deputy Haughey mentioned in relation to Question No. 65, if it is discovered that there is over-profiteering——
The Deputy is making a statement.
I would be very happy to have evidence that any real anomaly, other than the theoretical one, exists. If the Deputy can supply this evidence and can convince me that this is a serious defect I shall be happy to remedy it.
The Minister is so satisfied that he is perfect that one cannot convince him of anything.