asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his Department has any information which will allow of comparison being made between the retail prices of imported articles which are subject to a protective import duty, as sold in the Saorstát and as sold in England; also, if he has information which will allow of comparison being made between the retail prices paid in England for articles which are subject to a protective duty when imported in the Saorstát, and the prices paid for articles of a similar grade and quality when manufactured and sold in Ireland, and if the Minister will give the figures at his disposal.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RETAIL PRICES OF IMPORTED ARTICLES.
I have not at present sufficient information to permit of an exact comparison on the lines indicated in the question. It would require the services of a considerable staff, since prices would have to be ascertained in a number of districts in England and Ireland, and detailed enquiries into questions of quality and grade would be necessary. I would hope that the Tribunal proposed to be appointed to investigate prices, as approved yesterday in the Dáil, will obtain any information of this kind relating to articles of common consumption which is necessary.