asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will introduce amending prices legislation to strengthen and broaden the role of the National Prices Commission as a matter of urgency.
5.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Control.
4.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce his proposals for the achievement of price stability and in particular for the control of those elements of inflation that are not caused by wage rises.
6.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why he has not so far introduced a statutory price freeze.
Mr. R. Burke
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 5 and 6 together.
As I have already indicated in a reply to a Question on 9th May, 1973. I have put in train an examination of the present system of price control to see what improvements or alterations may be desirable and feasible. Until this examination is completed, I do not propose to make statements about possible changes in present policy.
Can the Minister give us any idea when he might be in a position to make a statement?
Mr. R. Burke
No, but I will bring the Deputy's question to the attention of the Minister, who is away at the moment.
We were led to believe by the Minister and by the Government as a whole that they had positive plans to deal with this price increase structure. We have been endeavouring for some time to get from the Minister for Industry and Commerce, or from any member of the Government, some ideas as to what those positive plans were.
Is this a question?
I am asking the Minister for Education, who is replying on behalf of the Minister for Industry and Commerce, if he can give us some idea of what they actually propose to do in relation to increases in prices, apart from setting up further Commissions.
Mr. R. Burke
The answer has already been given to the Deputy. As a former Minister, he knows the problems involved. I can only say that the Minister for Industry and Commerce is giving this matter his full attention. As I said, until the examination is completed I do not propose to make any statement.
This matter cannot be treated as lightly as this by the Minister even though he is speaking on behalf of the Minister for Industry and Commerce. Is the Minister aware that recent price increases mentioned by the Minister have reached up to 60 per cent over and above the then existing price? I refer, for example, to the price of tinned foods. Is that the kind of price increase the Minister is going to allow without any stricter price controls being introduced as was promised by the Coalition?
Mr. R. Burke
The Leader of the Opposition can be assured that the Minister and the Government will give all possible attention to the position in relation to prices. If the Deputy will put down a question at a future date, no doubt he will get a reply.
Are the Government in any way apprehensive about the fact that, between now and the removal of VAT on food, prices will have increased so far that there will be no advantage to the consumer by the removal of VAT?
Mr. R. Burke
I thought the Deputy was against the removal of VAT from food in any event.
I am, but I am catching you out at your own game. Prices are going sky high. We will leave it for the moment, but we will be back again.
Not for a long time.