asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in order to protect Irish tomato growers and the purchasing public, he will take immediate steps to prevent profiteering on the part of traders by controlling the selling price of tomatoes and permitting only a percentage charge by the retailers above the prevailing market cost; if he will state whether the high cost of tomatoes purchased by retailers reacts unfavourably on the commendable efforts of the producers to encourage this industry; and if he will state why, during last week, the cost per lb. of tomatoes has varied from 2/- to 3/-.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Tomatoes.
I am not aware that excessive prices are being charged by traders for tomatoes and I see no reason to fix a price for home-grown tomatoes. Variations in the prices of these tomatoes are normal in relation to quality and supply. A price of 1/4 per lb. has already been fixed for imported tomatoes, and I am satisfied that this is sufficient to keep prices of the home-grown product within reasonable limits. It would be impracticable to enforce an Order controlling the prices of home-grown tomatoes on the basis of adding a percentage charge to the market price.
Though a retail price has been fixed for imported tomatoes, would the Parliamentary Secretary consider fixing a wholesale price for these tomatoes?
Will the Parliamentary Secretary justify a charge of 3/- a lb. for tomatoes which are sold on the market at 1/- and 1/2 a lb.?
As I said in my reply, the retail price of tomatoes varies according to supply and demand, and also according to quality, size, etc., and it is not practicable to fix a retail price for each grade or quality. The same applies to the supplementary put by Deputy O'Donnell—it is not practicable to fix prices for wholesale and retail.
That is not an answer to the supplementary I asked. I asked the Parliamentary Secretary if he would say whether his Department would justify a charge of 3/- a lb. for tomatoes which are sold on the market at 1/- and 1/2 a lb.
I have no evidence that the prices charged were excessive.
In view of the Parliamentary Secretary's unsatisfactory reply, I give notice, Sir, that I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.