asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the action he proposes to take to control the exorbitant prices being charged for school books by some booksellers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Book Prices.
7.
I am not aware of any case where exorbitant prices are being charged for school books by the booksellers. I have had a number of recent complaints investigated by prices inspectors from my Department and they have not found evidence of excessive prices being charged. If the Deputy is aware of any particular case of a bookseller charging excessive prices, I will be happy to have the matter investigated on receipt of the necessary particulars.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the National Prices Commission are presently carrying out a study on the retail prices of school books?
Yes.
Will he tell the House when we may expect the results of that study?
I expect the report will be published within three weeks.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary accept that the high prices and the frequent changing of books impose a severe burden on large families? Would it be possible for him, in conjunction with the Minister for Education, to investigate the matter with a view to having those school books used for longer periods?
The findings of investigations by the inspectorate of the Prices Division of the Department of Industry and Commerce, on receipt of complaints, do not indicate that there is any substantial overcharging for school books in the strict sense of the term. However, while not wishing to give an indication in advance of the contents of the report of the National Prices Commission which will be published by that body in their own normal procedure, I can indicate that there is probably room for some improvement in the structure of the school book market which is being considered by the National Prices Commission in their report. I can assure the House so far as the Departments of Industry and Commerce and Education are concerned that careful note will be taken of any suggestions the commission may make in the matter and arrangements will be made for meetings of officials at high level immediately.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that it is undesirable that the same percentage level of profit margins should apply to school books as applies to books generally? If he agrees, will he take steps to see that the very high profit margins on books, including school books, is reduced somewhat?
The profit margin on school books is intended to compensate retailers for the costs they incur in relation to the distribution of these books. Unless evidence is produced to the effect that the costs are less in the case of school books, there would not appear on the face of it to be a case for changing the situation regarding school books as against other books. However, if evidence to that effect can be adduced, it is a matter that should be considered.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that there is a guaranteed market, that there is no risk involved in stocking the books because they know exactly how many they are going to sell?
Unless there is a complete fixing of supplies between all the different retailers—there is no such thing; in fact, they are competing strongly with one another —no individual book seller has a guaranteed market. Therefore, one cannot make the easy assumption the Deputy has made.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary, when wearing his other hat, take steps to expand the free books scheme? This would solve much of the problem.
That is another question. Perhaps the Deputy would like to put down a question.