asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the terms of appointment of the members of the Prices Advisory Body, and the number of meetings held since its establishment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices Advisory Body—Prices (Standstill) Order.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the number of applications received by the Prices Advisory Body and/or his Department for the revision of the prices of goods and services to which the Prices and Charges (Standstill) Order, 1950, relates; (b) the number of such applications which have been considered to date by the body; (c) the number, if any, dealt with without reference to the body, and (d) the number of recommendations made to date by the body, and the action, if any, taken on such recommendations.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he is prepared to publish, in respect of all or some of the main classes of goods and services to which the Prices and Charges (Standstill) Order, 1950, relates, the lowest prices obtaining in the week ended December 2, 1950.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what arrangements are in operation for the enforcement of the Prices and Charges (Standstill) Order, 1950, including the number of officers engaged on outdoor inspection duties.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether, before deciding to make the Prices and Charges (Standstill) Order, 1950, he had any consultation with organisations representing manufacturing or commercial interests.
With permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87 together.
The terms of the appointment of the members of the Prices Advisory Body are as follows:—
The members have been appointed for the period 2nd January, 1951, to 31st December, 1951, inclusive, and hold office subject to the provisions of Article 9 of the Prices Advisory Body Order, 1951. The chairman of the body continues to act as a judge of the Supreme Court. He is paid a motorcar allowance at the rate of £100 per annum. The vice-chairman is paid an allowance at the rate of £500 per annum in addition to his Civil Service salary. Two of the ordinary members are remunerated at the rate of £1,000 per annum each. The other two members are paid fees at the rate of £500 per annum each.
From 12th January to 12th February, 1951, inclusive, the Prices Advisory Body has held 22 meetings; in addition, individual members of the body have taken part on a number of occasions in discussions with the representatives of traders.
Up to and including 12th February, 1951, the number of applications for price revision received by my Department or the Prices Advisory Body was 172; the body has considered 46 of these applications and has made recommendations in 27 cases, 13 of which have been put into operation by directions made under the standstill Order. The remaining recommendations are still under consideration. In the case of two applications, the consideration of which was very far advanced before the body was set up, price increases have been sanctioned by me without reference to the body.
It is not practicable to publish in respect of all or some of the main classes of goods and services to which the Prices and Charges (Standstill) Order, 1950, relates, the lowest prices obtaining in the week ended December 2nd, 1950. The Order is enforced by visits of inspection carried out by officers of my Department. Provision has been made for the employment of not less than 50 officers on outdoor duties. Twenty-five have already been recruited and the remainder will take up duty shortly. Meantime, assistance in enforcement is also being given by the general inspectorate, of whom there are 28 employed at present. In addition, any officer of Customs and Excise and any member of the Garda Síochána are authorised officers for the purpose of enforcement of the Order. The decision to make the Prices and Charges (Standstill) Order was taken without consultation with organisations representating manufacturing or commercial interests.
Arising out of the admission of the Parliamentary Secretary that certain members of this Prices Advisory Body are paid £1,000 a year, is not that an excellent example of creating jobs for the boys?
Not any more than similar appointments made by the Opposition in the past.
Mr. Brady
I thought you were going to improve matters.