asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is in a position to state the action proposed to be taken by the Government with regard to the Report of the Tribunal on Prices.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TRIBUNAL ON PRICES.
I am advising the Executive Council to adopt the recommendations in favour of legislation dealing with short weight and measure and am considering whether the recommendations in favour of marking certain imported articles of food with their country of origin can be incorporated in Merchandise Marks legislation. As to the main recommendation of the Tribunal in favour of the establishment of a Permanent Prices Board, I agree with that part of the Report which says that such a board should not entail any large expenditure of funds but not with the part which indicates that the Board proposed would involve only a small cost. I am further of opinion that the composition proposed for the Board would not be the most effective for its intended functions and that its essential requirement would be persons of some experience in trade costings.
Having regard to past experience, I am not prepared to advise the setting up of a board to investigate prices otherwise than on a prima facie case being established by representative consumers that unreasonable prices are being charged. The expense of a permanent board pursuing continuous inquiries on behalf of the public would be out of all proportion to the interest which the public has hitherto shown in the matter.
Will the Minister say whether or not it is proposed to take any action with regard to the recommendation that the dealers in certain classes of goods should be compelled to exhibit the prices of those articles in their shops? Has that come under consideration at all?
The whole matter is still under consideration in the sense that it is still before the Executive Council. No definite decision has been come to. On that point, I was prepared to make a recommendation also, but not so far-reaching as that which the Report contains. It seems to me that owing to the number of articles that a trader might have to mark there would be an undue burden put upon him in return for any benefit that might accrue to the public.
Can we have an opportunity of discussing this matter on the Estimates for the Department of Industry and Commerce? Would the Minister be prepared to have a discussion then?
It seems to me it would be better to discuss it by way of motion. I think it would be big enough to discuss it by way of special motion. I hope, however, that if that discussion is to come it will not come on for at least three weeks.