asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the present arrangement within his Department or otherwise for dealing with allegations of overcharging for goods and services; the proposals, if any, he has for bringing about improvements in this respect; the number of staff, administrative and inspectorate involved in this area; and if he intends to introduce any improvement in this respect.
Written Answers. - Goods and Services Overcharging.
11.
Allegations of overcharging for goods and services are dealt with primarily within the context of promoting greater competition throughout the economy. For example, allegations regarding price differences between here and Northern Ireland were the subject of an urgent report by the Restrictive Practices Commission which I expect to publish shortly. The terms and conditions of purchase and importing of specific products is the subject of a separate detailed investigation by the examiner of restrictive practices which is in progress at present. I will be dealing with both of these aspects in more detail in reply to other questions on the Order Paper.
I believe that greater competition and the operation of the market offer the most satisfactory means of ensuring fair price levels throughout the economy. The Restrictive Practices (Amendment) Bill, which is currently before the House, is intended to improve the implementation of competition policy by strengthening the agencies involved and extending the scope of their activities. A number of measures to this effect are already in hands, even in advance of enactment of the Bill. The Deputy may be aware, for example, that a Restrictive Practices Commission report on the accountancy profession was published in the past week. The commission is continuing with studies into other professions, covering issues such as the fixing of fees and other practices of professional bodies.
In addition to the use of competition agencies, I do not rule out the use of price control where I believe that to be necessary to bring about more reasonable prices for consumers. For example, I made a maximum prices order in respect of petrol and autodiesel in July last because I considered that the price levels then obtaining were not warranted.
The Restrictive Practices (Amendment) Bill to which I have referred will bring together enforcement functions under various restrictive practices, consumer and prices Acts in the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade.
A total of 27 staff are employed in my Department and the related agencies to which I have referred on competition and related duties. This includes an inspectorate of seven staff assigned to the Director of Consumer Affairs who carry out inspection duties where necessary in relation to the prices of goods and services.