asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received a copy of a resolution, passed unanimously by the Lower Prices Council, on Monday, 2nd April, protesting against the decontrol Order for pork products and against the increases in the prices of pork and biscuits and demanding that no further increases be allowed in the prices of essential commodities without a public inquiry; and, if so, whether he will state the action he proposes to take in regard to the matters referred to in the resolution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices of Pork and Biscuits.
I have received a copy of the resolution referred to by the Deputy.
The question whether a public inquiry should be held in regard to the price of any particular commodity is one for the Prices Advisory Body. In all cases of applications for increases in prices, however, the Prices Advisory Body considers the possibility of holding a public inquiry and such an inquiry is held, wherever practicable.
To what body did the Minister refer?
The Prices Advisory Body.
Is this the recently set up price freeze body or price decontrol body?
I do not know if, in a clumsy way, the Deputy is attempting to be humorous——
No; I am serious.
——but if the Deputy's hearing apparatus is all right, he would know that the words I used were "Prices Advisory Body".
Which body—the Department of Industry and Commerce body or the newly set up body?
Go back to school.