asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state the number of complaints received by his Department for the four months ended April 30th, 1941, containing allegations of excessive prices charged to the public; the number of cases in which legal proceedings were instituted; the number of convictions secured, and the total amount, if any, of the fines imposed by the courts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Excessive Prices.
The number of complaints received by my Department during the four months ended 30th April, 1941, concerning alleged excessive prices charged to the public was 426.
My Department investigates all alleged excessive prices reported to it, but the Deputy should understand that an offence is committed only when a Price Control Order is contravened. During the period mentioned in the question no proceedings were instituted for the contravention of Price Control Orders.
The investigation of the 426 complaints to which I have referred is proceeding. This investigation has shown that in 47 per cent. of the cases examined the prices charged were not excessive; in 17 per cent. of the cases the prices were found to be excessive and were adjusted at the instance of my Department; and in the remaining 36 per cent. of the cases the information furnished to my Department was insufficient to enable the investigation to be completed.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, what does he mean by saying that prices were adjusted? Were the people concerned brought before any of the courts in this country?
I have explained that an offence against the law is committed only when a Price Control Order is contravened. There are many cases of excessive prices charged for commodities in respect of which a Price Control Order has neither been made nor been found practicable. In such cases the action taken by my Department is with a view to securing an adjustment of the price, a refund of the overcharge, and the adoption of such measures as will ensure that the overcharge will not be repeated.
Were there any prosecutions in connection with cases brought to his notice where, in fact, the Price Control Order had been contravened?
I have said that there were no such cases.