asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the percentage increase in the price of bottled gas over the past two years; and if the recommendations of the Prices Commission with regard to the distribution of this item have been fully implemented.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bottled Gas Prices.
11.
The percentage increases over the past two years in the prices of the popular size cylinders of bottled gas by the two companies presently engaged in the distribution of this commodity have amounted to 38.5 per cent in one case and 40.4 per cent in the other.
In their monthly report for December, 1974 in which they published a section on "dealers' margins on liquid bottled gas", the National Prices Commission stated:
When applications for price increases are made by the gas companies in future, they should submit evidence of the steps they have taken to improve the efficiency of their operations and to rationalise their existing dealer networks. We would expect any further increases in dealer margins to be achieved mainly in these ways rather than by increases in the retail prices that consumers have to pay.
Since this proposal was made by the commission, the gas companies have submitted with their price applications details of the steps taken to improve their efficiency and to rationalise their dealer networks. The commission are satisfied at the progress being made in this matter.