asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the considerable public criticism and published reports indicating excessively high retail profit margins in the soft drinks trade; and the action he proposes to take in the matter.
Written Answers. - Soft Drinks Trade.
321.
I am aware that there has been public concern about the retail prices being charged for soft drinks. The National Prices Commission, in fact, in their monthly report for October, 1975, gave the results of a survey on soft drink prices which had been carried out by the prices inspectorate of my Department. The commission concluded that excessive margins were being taken on soft drinks sold for on-premises consumption in hotels, lounges, public bars, cafés, and so on, and that the desirability of introducing a Maximum Prices Order for soft drinks sold in these premises should be considered. Before making a recommendation on the matter, however, the commission have invited comments from interested parties and the deadline for the receipt of these comments by the commission will be the end of the present month. Any recommendation made by the commission will receive immediate consideration.