asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make it obligatory on all manufacturers, distribtuors, wholesalers and retailers to inform him a month in advance of any price increases which they propose to make on any goods whatever.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Increases.
38.
I have no statutory power to implement the suggestion in the Deputy's question, nor would I consider such an arrangement to be necessary or practicable.
Is the Minister impressed by the fact that one of his own Deputies is now concerned about the increase in prices?
Yes, and I have been taking effective steps about it, contrary to what Deputy Corish and his colleagues have been saying.
There is no evidence of it.
There is plenty, if the Deputy looks for it.
39.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the general concern felt at the increases in the price of a number of commodities; what action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As I have said on a number of occasions, I will not hesitate to take such action as is open to me under the Prices Act, 1958, whenever it appears to me that it is desirable in the public interest so to do in relation to the price of a commodity. The Deputy will be aware that I have already taken action in respect of a number of commodities.
Is there a constant review of prices as distinct from a review of individual commodities?
There is a Prices Section, which keep prices generally under review.
Is the Minister not aware that, as far as the housewife is concerned, there has been a frightening rise in prices of essential commodities? Does the Minister not agree in those circumstances he ought to accept the principle that where prices are raised, the people concerned should be asked to justify it——
This is not a question; this is an argument.
——just as the worker is asked to justify an increase in wages?
There has not been a frightening increase. There has been an increase which, fortunately, has been met by the increased standard of living of the people themselves and by increasing incomes.
Might I ask the Minister——
No. 40. There are 154 questions on the Order Paper. Some Deputies are asking four or five supplementary questions. We will never get questions finished on this basis.
40.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what steps he intends to take to bring prices of essential commodities under review so that they shall not be increased until a clear justification has been made for such price increase before the appropriate body.
My powers in regard to price control are laid down in the Prices Act, 1958, and I will not hesitate to use those powers where circumstances warrant such action.
In view of the fact that there has been a substantial increase in prices of essential commodities and, at the same time, according to the statements issued by companies on profits, there has been a considerable increase in profits, could the Minister not insist that profits, instead of being distributed in dividends, be ploughed back——
This is an argument, not a question.
The Minister can take action to do this.
I have taken action. I have set up prices advisory committees in several cases. In most cases the committees have reported that there has been no undue increase, having regard to the costs of production and the profits being made. These committees are representative of trade unions, housewives' associations and others. My Department's inspectors have investigated hundreds of complaints of alleged price increases. They have visited no less than 5,000 premises of traders. By and large they have been very active in ensuring that prices as far as possible are kept within reason, having regard to the costs of production.
The Minister is completely complacent and smug. He will find that out the next time he goes for election, because the housewives are not complacent.