asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when he expects to be in a position to inform the Dáil of the result of the review of the present methods of price control referred to by him in his reply to a question on 9th November, 1950.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Control.
I am unable at the moment to indicate when it will be possible for me to make a statement on this subject, but I can assure the House that there will be no avoidable delay.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a lot of public disquiet about this whole question and that it is in the public interest that the Government should come to a decision and announce to the public what steps are going to be taken to deal with the whole question of price control forthwith?
The Deputy is no doubt aware that almost all increases are due to higher import costs. I do not know whether the Deputy has any solution for that problem of getting cheaper imports. If he has, I shall be glad to hear of it.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not consider it reasonable that as a worker, in order to obtain a wage increase, has to go before a Labour Court, a manufacturer, a wholesaler or a retailer before he is allowed to increase his prices should justify that before some tribunal?
That is an entirely separate matter. I think the Deputy is displaying a complete lack of knowledge of economic facts.
The public are displaying the same lack of knowledge.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether he is prepared to consider the question of a Standstill Order on these rapidly rising prices pending the establishment of proper price control machinery?
A Standstill Order would have to take into consideration a variety of factors, not merely the question of higher import costs. It might be that a Standstill Order would adversely affect some interest the Deputy has in mind.
Will he remember the promises to reduce the cost of living?