asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to a notice from all the carrying companies that in future all goods (with certain exceptions) must now be sent carriage paid; and, if so, if he will state if this alteration of procedure will involve trouble and expense to traders which have previously been borne by the carrying company.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carriage of Goods.
I am aware of the notice to which the Deputy refers. I am not in a position, however, to state the extent, if any, to which the altered procedure for the collection of charges may result in a diversion of trouble and expense as between the traders and the carrying companies.
I am advised that the greater portion of merchandise traffic is already consigned on "carriage paid" terms and that the adoption of a uniform practice will lead to greater efficiency and expedition in the delivery of goods, with ultimate beneficial results to the general users of the services.
Would the addition of "carriage paid" be a contravention of the Prices Standstill Order?
That is a separate question.
Does it not obviously arise?
The Deputy will have to ask a separate question.
Will the Minister consider it, or will I have to put down a separate question?
If the Deputy wants a reply in the Dáil he will have to table a question.
Has it occurred to the Minister that if the carriage paid system was of superior advantage, everybody would have long ago put it into practice? Does it not occur to the Minister that the carriage paid system was an advantage to the railway company and to nobody else? Therefore, the railway company put that ukase into force and ordinary people were not in a position to resist the railway company's monopoly, and have to accept it to their very great detriment and inconvenience. Will the Minister look into it?
I think that is a completely erroneous view.
It is not; it is the truth.