asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is the intention of the National Prices Commission to withhold publication of price increases in the national newspapers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
85.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Increases Publication.
84.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why lists of price increases approved by him are no longer published in newspapers; and if he will immediately reintroduce this practice.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
In their January, 1975, report, the National Prices Commission recommended to me that the practice of advertising each month the list of authorised price increases in the national newspapers should be discontinued. The reasons for this recommendation are set out in detail in the report. Copies of the report are available in the Oireachtas Library and have been circulated to each Deputy. The main reasons for the recommendation are as follows:
(i) Since price increases by firms which have been wholly or partially exempted from price control are not included in the list of authorised price increases, the list is no longer comprehensive.
(ii) Almost all increases approved will have already been implemented before the date on which the relevant monthly report appears. Thus the list of authorised price increases that appeared in the press advertisement was more likely to confuse than inform the consumers. The commission's recommendation was accepted.
The commission have stressed that price increases will continue to be made widely known. All price increases sanctioned by them will appear in their monthly reports, which are usually well covered by the national press, and in the case of many important commodities a separate press statement may also be issued by the Department at the time of the increase. The National Prices Commission estimate that the saving to public funds by not adding to this by separate paid press advertisements will be £30,000 p.a.
In the case of goods covered by maximum retail prices orders, which include many staple foodstuffs, special advertisements will continue to be inserted in the newspapers in advance of any increase being allowed.
We are aware that it is embarrassing to the Government that there are price increases every day of the month but I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to tell us how shopkeepers and merchants can amend their price lists if his Department will not advertise the increases. They will not get the book from the National Prices Commission but in law they are obliged to amend their price list.
The increases are notified in the monthly report of the National Prices Commission. It is available at a very reasonable cost to shopkeepers, many of whom purchase it. The findings of the commission are widely publicised by the newspapers. Of course, the wholesaler will inform the customer of any increase and if the shopkeeper has any doubt about an increase it is open to him to make inquiries from the Prices Division of the Department of Industry and Commerce who can inform him authoritatively whether the increase has been sanctioned. That additional assistance will be available.
It appears that the Parliamentary Secretary is looking for cheap advertising by hoping the press will publish it free of charge. Does he think a small shopkeeper in a village or at a cross-roads will write to the National Prices Commission for the booklet he mentioned? The Department should publish the increases even though they are embarrassing to the Government.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell us why he has to bear the contumely of the House in relation to questions regarding price increases? Why has the Minister for Industry and Commerce asked him to bear that burden? Will he tell us how many booklets are printed by the National Prices Commission?
I have not the exact figure. They are available at 7½p each and I can assure the Deputy they are good value.
I know the answer to the question. The National Prices Commission publish only 2,000 booklets.
If there is an increasing demand there will be an increasing supply.
Is it not fair to say that this "recommendation"—I put that word in inverted commas—by the National Prices Commission to the Government was very readily accepted by them? Is it not the case that it is a sheer cover-up job by the Government? As Deputy Nolan pointed out, it is an effort to have cheap advertising. It is a cover-up by the Government to keep the daily price increases from the people.
Far from being accepted readily by the Government, the recommendation had to be made on two separate occasions by the National Prices Commission. It was made first in March, 1974, when it was not accepted; but when it was further substantiated in a later report in January, 1975, the Minister accepted it.
How does the Parliamentary Secretary expect that if only 2,000 copies of the booklet are available the message will get across to the people concerned? As Deputy Nolan pointed out, the various outlets will be obliged by law to publish the price increases.
I can assure Deputies that if there is an increased demand for the report it will be met by an increased supply.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state the date of the next report?
In the very near future.
I wish to give notice, Sir, of my intention to raise this matter on the Adjournment. I know I cannot do it now——
The Deputy can raise it on the next sitting day. Question No. 86.
It is after 5 o'clock, Sir.