asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the price increases sanctioned in the case of timber during the past six months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Timber Prices.
71.
Up to 29th June, 1973 importers of timber were not required to notify me of increases in their prices to compensate for increased landed costs, provided there was no increase in their percentage profit margin. Such importers are still not required to notify me of increases in their prices to compensate for increased landed costs, but under an order which I made on 26th June, 1973 and which became effective on 29th June, 1973, they may not now increase their profit margins, in cash terms, above the actual cash margins obtained on 23rd June, 1973.
What the Minister has said in regard to the control of prices is understandable but there is another matter in respect of which I wonder whether he has any jurisdiction, that is, the quality of timber which question, must be related to prices. Is the Minister aware that as prices increase, quality is deteriorating and that it is questionable whether timber being imported into this country is either useful or safe for the purpose of construction.
The question relates to price increases.
I do not have control over either the prices or the quality of the timber but if the Deputy has evidence of a deterioration in quality to the extent that it constitutes a risk, he should refer the matter to another Minister.
Regardless of whether the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards is in any way the responsibility of the Minister, this is the manner in which I am inquiring as to whether the Minister is satisfied that quality deterioration is very important from the price point of view.
The Deputy must frame a question.
I am asking the Minister whether the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards have any function in this matter and, if so, what is being done to deal with the problem?
I do not know the answer to the Deputy's question but I will undertake to investigate it and if the body referred to have any power in this field, I will ensure that such power is used.
Will the Minister take into account that the variation in the quality of timber has a direct relationship to prices?
I take the Deputy's point.