asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he will list the number of advisory bodies set up by his Department and give details of the activities of these bodies and the budgetary provisions for each of them.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - State Advisory Bodies .
21.
: The particulars requested are contained in a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
|
Body |
Activities |
Budgetary Provision |
|
1. Restrictive Practices Commission |
The Fair Trade Commission which was established by the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1953 was replaced in 1972 by the Restrictive Practices Commission in accordance with the terms of the Restrictive Practices Act 1972. The main functions of the commission are: |
£104,000 (principally the cost of salaries of the mem- bers and staff of the Com- mission which accounts for £90,300). |
|
(a) to hold inquiries into conditions which obtain in relation to the supply and distribution of goods, the provision of services and the operation of orders made under the Act. |
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(b) to submit to the Minister reports of inquiries held, stating their opinion as to whether the Minister should make an order and indicat- ing the form of order recommended. |
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2. National Prices Commission |
The National Prices Commission was established by the Minister for Industry and Commerce in 1971 pursuant to the Prices Act, 1965. The Com- mission keeps under review the prices of com- modities and the charges for rendering services and for carrying out work or processes and advises the Minister in relation to such prices and charges. |
The budgetary provision, excluding the cost of staff, secretarial and other inci- dental expenses which are subsumed in the Depart- ment's overall allocation under specific headings, is £131,500. (The major con- stituent is £120,000 in respect of fees and expenses for consultancy assign- ments.) |
|
3. Merchandise Marks Commission |
The Commission was set up pursuant to the Merchandise Marks Act, 1931. The function of the Commission is to advise the Minister on the making of Merchandise Marks Orders. |
£400 (Fees of the Com- mission). |
|
4. Credit Union Advisory Committee |
The Committee was set up by the Minister pur- suant to Section 27(1) of the Credit Union Act, 1966. The Committee advises the Minister on credit union matters including the improvement of their management and protection of interests of members and creditors. |
£2,500 (Fees of the Committee) |
|
5. Motor Premium Advisory Committee |
The Committee was appointed in October 1973 to advise the Minister on motor insurance rates. |
£1,000 (Chairman's fees and Committee's ex- penses). |
|
6. National Con- sumer Advisory Committee |
The Council was set up by the Minister for Indus- try and Commerce in 1973 to advise on legislation and other measures needed in consumers' interests. |
£33,490 (including £12,000 for secretarial expenses). |
|
7. Metric Advisory Committee |
The Committee was established in 1971 to |
£500 (Travel and incidental expenses of the Committee). |
|
(a) Keep the Minister informed of problems affecting distributors and consumers arising from the change to the metric system of measurement. |
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(b) to make recommendations as to action to be taken to deal with such problems. |
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(c) to promote public awareness and under- standing of the change to the metric system. |