asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of meetings of the Prices Advisory Body which have been held since its establishment; the number of recommendations submitted by the body to him and the number of cases in which the recommendation was (a) accepted and (b) rejected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices Advisory Body.
From the date of their establishment in January, 1951, to the 9th December, 1952, the Prices Advisory Body have held 152 meetings and have submitted 268 recommendations of which 260 have been accepted, seven have been rejected and one is under consideration.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received complaints regarding the short notice given by the Prices Advisory Body of their intention to hold public inquiries, which has made it practically impossible for interested bodies to prepare their evidence to oppose applications for prices increases, and if he will arrange that the Prices Advisory Body will give more reasonable notice of public sittings and, if possible, notify interested bodies of the proposal to hold public sittings, in advance of the usual Press notice advertising such public sittings.
I received one complaint of the kind mentioned in the question. Under the Prices Advisory Body Order, 1951, it is a matter for the body itself to determine its procedure. I have, however, been informed by the body that as long notice as possible is given of their intention to hold a public inquiry and that at the opening of, and during the course of each inquiry it is made clear that an adjournment will be granted should any interested party require time to present further evidence. A Press advertisement is inserted as soon as it is decided to hold an inquiry and interested parties are notified at the same time. The body informs me that no inquiry has been closed before all interested parties appearing have been fully heard.